Substituted hydroxamic acids and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

This invention provides compounds of formula (I): 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         
           
             wherein R 1 , R 2 , X, p, q, m, n, and Ring C have values as described in the specification, useful as inhibitors of HDAC6. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of proliferative, inflammatory, infectious, neurological or cardiovascular diseases or disorders.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/426,330, filed Dec. 22, 2010,incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to compounds and methods for the selectiveinhibition of HDAC6. The present invention relates to compounds usefulas HDAC6 inhibitors. The invention also provides pharmaceuticalcompositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods ofusing the compositions in the treatment of various diseases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is a member of a family of amidohydrolasescommonly referred as histone or lysine deacetylases (HDACs or KDACs) asthey catalyze the removal of acetyl groups from the ε-amino group oflysine residues from proteins. The family includes 18 enzymes which canbe divided in 3 main classes based on their sequence homology to yeastenzymes Rpd3 (Class I), Hda1 (Class II) and Sir2 (Class III). A fourthclass was defined with the finding of a distinct mammalian enzyme—HDAC11(reviewed in Yang, et al., Nature Rev. Mol. Cell. Biol. 2008, 9:206-218and in Saunders and Verdin, Oncogene 2007, 26(37):5489-5504).Biochemically, Class I (HDAC1, 2, 3, 8) and Class II (HDAC4, 5, 6, 7, 9,10) and Class IV (HDAC11) are Zn²⁺-dependent enzymes, while Class III(SIRT1-7) are dependent on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) foractivity. Unlike all other HDACs, HDAC6 resides primarily in thecytosol. It has 2 functional catalytic domains and a carboxy-terminalZn²⁺-finger ubiquitin binding domain that binds ubiquitinated misfoldedproteins (Kawaguchi et al., Cell 2003, 115(6):727-738), ubiquitin(Boyaullt et al., EMBO J. 2006, 25(14):3357-3366), as well asubiquitin-like FAT10 modifier (Kalveram et al., J Cell Sci. 2008,121(24):4079-4088). Known substrates of HDAC6 include cytoskeletalproteins α-tubulin and cortactin; β-catenin which forms part of adherensjunctions and anchors the actin cytoskeleton; the chaperone Hsp90; andthe redox regulatory proteins peroxiredoxin (Prx) I and Prx II (reviewedin Boyault et al., Oncogene 2007, 26(37):5468-5476; Matthias et al.,Cell Cycle 2008, 7(1):7-10; Li et al., J Biol. Chem. 2008,283(19):12686-12690; Parmigiani et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2009,105(28):9633-9638). Thus, HDAC6 mediates a wide range of cellularfunctions including microtubule-dependent trafficking and signaling,membrane remodeling and chemotactic motility, involvement in control ofcellular adhesion, ubiquitin level sensing, regulation of chaperonelevels and activity, and responses to oxidative stress. All of thesefunctions may be important in tumorigenesis, tumor growth and survivalas well as metastasis (Simms-Waldrip et al., Mol. Genet. Metabolism2008, 94(3):283-286; Rodriguez-Gonzalez et al., Cancer Res. 2008,68(8):2557-2560; Kapoor, Int. J. Cancer 2009, 124:509; Lee et al.,Cancer Res. 2008, 68(18):7561-7569). Recent studies have shown HDAC6 tobe important in autophagy, an alternative pathway for proteindegradation that compensates for deficiencies in the activity of theubiquitin proteasome system or expression of proteins prone to formaggregates and can be activated following treatment with a proteasomeinhibitor (Kawaguchi et al., Cell 2003, 115(6):727-738; Iwata et al., J.Biol. Chem. 2005, 280(48): 40282-40292; Ding et al., Am. J. Pathol.2007, 171:513-524, Pandey et al., Nature 2007, 447(7146):860-864).Although the molecular mechanistic details are not completelyunderstood, HDAC6 binds ubiquitinated or ubiquitin-like conjugatedmisfolded proteins which would otherwise induce proteotoxic stress andthen serves as an adaptor protein to traffic the ubiquitinated cargo tothe microtubule organizing center using the microtubule network via itsknown association with dynein motor protein. The resulting perinuclearaggregates, known as aggresomes, are then degraded by fusion withlysosomes in an HDAC6- and cortactin-dependent process which inducesremodeling of the actin cytoskeleton proximal to aggresomes (Lee et al.,EMBO J. 2010, 29:969-980). In addition, HDAC6 regulates a variety ofbiological processes dependent on its association with the microtubularnetwork including cellular adhesion (Tran et al., J Cell Sci. 2007,120(8):1469-1479) and migration (Zhang et al., Mol. Cell. 2007,27(2):197-213; reviewed in Valenzuela-Fernandez et al., Trends Cell.Biol. 2008, 18(6):291-297), epithelial to mesenchymal transition (Shanet al., J. Biol. Chem. 2008, 283(30):21065-21073), resistance to anoikis(Lee et al., Cancer Res. 2008, 68(18):7561-7569), epithelial growthfactor-mediated Wnt signaling via β-catenin deacetylation (Li et al., J.Biol. Chem. 2008, 283(19):12686-12690) and epithelial growth factorreceptor stabilization by endocytic trafficking (Lissanu Deribe et al.,Sci. Signal. 2009, 2(102): ra84; Gao et al., J. Biol. Chem. 2010,285:11219-11226); all events that promote oncogenesis and metastasis(Lee et al., Cancer Res. 2008, 68(18):7561-7569). HDAC6 activity isknown to be upregulated by Aurora A kinase in cilia formation (Pugachevaet al., Cell 2007, 129(7):1351-1363) and indirectly by farnesyltransferase with which HDAC6 forms a complex with microtubules (Zhou etal., J. Biol. Chem. 2009, 284(15): 9648-9655). Also, HDAC6 is negativelyregulated by tau protein (Perez et al., J. Neurochem. 2009,109(6):1756-1766).

Diseases in which selective HDAC6 inhibition could have a potentialbenefit include cancer (reviewed in Simms-Waldrip et al., Mol. Genet.Metabolism 2008, 94(3):283-286 and Rodriguez-Gonzalez et al., CancerRes. 2008, 68(8):2557-2560), specifically: multiple myeloma (Hideshimaet al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2005, 102(24):8567-8572); lung cancer(Kamemura et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 2008, 374(1):84-89);ovarian cancer (Bazzaro et al., Clin. Cancer Res. 2008,14(22):7340-7347); breast cancer (Lee et al., Cancer Res. 2008,68(18):7561-7569); prostate cancer (Mellado et al., Clin. Trans. Onco.2009, 11(1):5-10); pancreatic cancer (Nawrocki et al., Cancer Res. 2006,66(7):3773-3781); renal cancer (Cha et al., Clin. Cancer Res. 2009,15(3):840-850); and leukemias such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML)(Fiskus et al., Blood 2008, 112(7):2896-2905) and acute lymphoblasticleukemia (ALL) (Rodriguez-Gonzalez et al., Blood 2008, 112(11): Abstract1923).

Inhibition of HDAC6 may also have a role in cardiovascular disease, i.e.cardiovascular stress, including pressure overload, chronic ischemia,and infarction-reperfusion injury (Tannous et al., Circulation 2008,117(24):3070-3078); bacterial infection, including those caused byuropathogenic Escherichia coli (Dhakal and Mulve, J. Biol. Chem. 2008,284(1):446-454); neurological diseases caused by accumulation ofintracellular protein aggregates such as Huntington's disease (reviewedin Kazantsev et al., Nat. Rev. Drug Disc. 2008, 7(10):854-868; see alsoDompierre et al., J. Neurosci. 2007, 27(13):3571-3583; Kozikowski etal., J. Med. Chem. 2007, 50:3054-3061) or central nervous system traumacaused by tissue injury, oxidative-stress induced neuronal or axomaldegeneration (Rivieccio et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2009,106(46):19599-195604); and inflammation, including reduction ofpro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β (Carta et al., Blood 2006,108(5):1618-1626), increased expression of the FOXP3 transcriptionfactor, which induces immunosuppressive function of regulatory T-cellsresulting in benefits in chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis,psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, lupus and organ transplant rejection(reviewed in Wang et al., Nat. Rev. Drug Disc. 2009, 8(12):969-981).

Given the complex function of HDAC6, selective inhibitors could havepotential utility when used alone or in combination with otherchemotherapeutics such as microtubule destabilizing agents (Zhou et al.,J. Biol. Chem. 2009, 284(15): 9648-9655); Hsp90 inhibitors (Rao et al.,Blood 2008, 112(5)1886-1893); inhibitors of Hsp90 client proteins,including receptor tyrosine kinases such as Her-2 or VEGFR (Bhalla etal., J. Clin. Oncol. 2006, 24(18S): Abstract 1923; Park et al., Biochem.Biophys. Res. Commun. 2008, 368(2):318-322), and signaling kinases suchas Bcr-Abl, Akt, mutant FLT-3, c-Raf, and MEK (Bhalla et al., J. Clin.Oncol. 2006, 24(18S): Abstract 1923; Kamemura et al., Biochem. Biophys.Res. Commun. 2008, 374(1):84-89); inhibitors of cell cycle kinasesAurora A and Aurora B (Pugacheva et al., Cell 2007, 129(7):1351-1363;Park et al., J. Mol. Med. 2008, 86(1): 117-128; Cha et al., Clin. CancerRes. 2009, 15(3):840-850); EGFR inhibitors (Lissanu Deribe et al., Sci.Signal. 2009, 2(102): ra84; Gao et al., J. Biol. Chem. 2010,285:11219-11226) and proteasome inhibitors (Hideshima et al., Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2005, 102(24):8567-8572) or other inhibitors of theubiquitin proteasome system such as ubiquitin and ubiqutin-likeactivating (E1), conjugation (E2), ligase enzymes (E3, E4) anddeubiquitinase enzymes (DUBs) as well as modulators of autophagy andprotein homeostasis pathways. In addition, HDAC6 inhibitors could becombined with radiation therapy (Kim et al., Radiother. Oncol. 2009,92(1):125-132.

Clearly, it would be beneficial to provide novel HDAC6 inhibitors thatpossess good therapeutic properties, especially for the treatment ofproliferative diseases or disorders.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 1. General Description ofCompounds of the Invention

The present invention provides compounds that are effective inhibitorsof HDAC6. These compounds are useful for inhibiting HDAC6 activity invitro and in vivo, and are especially useful for the treatment ofvarious cell proliferative diseases or disorders. The compounds of theinvention are represented by formula (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

wherein:

p is 0-3 and q is 1-4, and the total of p and q is 1-4;

X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, or -L₁-R³—V₁—;

L₁ is a bond or unsubstituted or substituted C₁₋₃ alkylene chain;

R³ is a 6-membered aromatic ring containing 0-2 nitrogen atoms which isunsubstituted or substituted with 1-2 independent occurrences of R⁴;

each occurrence of R⁴ is independently chloro, fluoro, cyano, hydroxy,methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl, methyl, or ethyl;

V₁ is a bond, —NH—C(O)—, —C(O)—NH—, —NH—S(O)₂—, or —NH—C(O)—NH—;

Ring C is a 4-7 membered heterocyclic ring containing one nitrogen atom,wherein the nitrogen atom is not the atom bound to X;

-   -   wherein the nitrogen atom in Ring C is substituted with R^(9b)        and Ring C is unsubstituted or substituted by 1-4 occurrences of        R^(5b);

ring B is optionally further substituted with m occurrences of R¹;

each occurrence of R¹ is independently chloro, fluoro, cyano, hydroxy,methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl, methyl, or ethyl;

ring A is optionally further substituted with n occurrences of R²;

each occurrence of R² is independently fluoro, methyl, ortrifluoromethyl;

R^(9b) is hydrogen, unsubstituted C(O)—O—C₁₋₆ aliphatic, unsubstitutedC(O)—C₁₋₆ aliphatic, unsubstituted C(O)—C₃₋₁₀ cycloaliphatic, orunsubstituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic;

each occurrence of R^(5b) is independently chloro, fluoro, hydroxy,methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy,—C(O)NH₂, or —CO₂H;

m is 0-1; and

n is 0-2.

In another aspect, the compounds of the invention are represented byformula (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

wherein:

p is 0-3 and q is 1-4, and the total of p and q is 1-4;

X is —C(O)— or -L₁-R³—V₁—;

L₁ is a bond or unsubstituted or substituted C₁₋₃ alkylene chain;

R³ is a 6-membered aromatic ring containing 0-2 nitrogen atoms which isunsubstituted or substituted with 1-2 independent occurrences of R⁴;

each occurrence of R⁴ is independently chloro, fluoro, cyano, hydroxy,methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl, methyl, or ethyl;

V₁ is a bond, —NH—C(O)—, —C(O)—NH—, —NH—S(O)₂—, or —NH—C(O)—NH—;

Ring C is a 4-7 membered heterocyclic ring containing one nitrogen atom,wherein the nitrogen atom is not the atom bound to X;

-   -   wherein the nitrogen atom in Ring C is substituted with R^(9b)        and Ring C is unsubstituted or substituted by 1-4 occurrences of        R^(5b);

ring B is optionally further substituted with m occurrences of R¹;

each occurrence of R¹ is independently chloro, fluoro, cyano, hydroxy,methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl, methyl, or ethyl;

ring A is optionally further substituted with n occurrences of R²;

each occurrence of R² is independently fluoro, methyl, ortrifluoromethyl;

R^(9b) is hydrogen, unsubstituted C(O)—O—C₁₋₆ aliphatic, unsubstitutedC(O)—C₁₋₆ aliphatic, unsubstituted C(O)—C₃₋₁₀ cycloaliphatic, orunsubstituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic;

each occurrence of R^(5b) is independently chloro, fluoro, hydroxy,methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy,—C(O)NH₂, or —CO₂H;

m is 0-1; and

n is 0-2.

2. Compounds and Definitions

Compounds of this invention include those described generally forformula (I) above, and are further illustrated by the classes,subclasses, and species disclosed herein. As used herein, the followingdefinitions shall apply unless otherwise indicated.

As described herein, compounds of the invention may be optionallysubstituted with one or more substituents, such as are illustratedgenerally above, or as exemplified by particular classes, subclasses,and species of the invention. It will be appreciated that the phrase“optionally substituted” is used interchangeably with the phrase“substituted or unsubstituted.” In general, the term “substituted”,whether preceded by the term “optionally” or not, means that a hydrogenradical of the designated moiety is replaced with the radical of aspecified substituent, provided that the substitution results in astable or chemically feasible compound. The term “substitutable”, whenused in reference to a designated atom, means that attached to the atomis a hydrogen radical, which hydrogen atom can be replaced with theradical of a suitable substituent. Unless otherwise indicated, an“optionally substituted” group may have a substituent at eachsubstitutable position of the group, and when more than one position inany given structure may be substituted with more than one substituentselected from a specified group, the substituent may be either the sameor different at every position. Combinations of substituents envisionedby this invention are preferably those that result in the formation ofstable or chemically feasible compounds.

A stable compound or chemically feasible compound is one in which thechemical structure is not substantially altered when kept at atemperature from about −80° C. to about +40° C., in the absence ofmoisture or other chemically reactive conditions, for at least a week,or a compound which maintains its integrity long enough to be useful fortherapeutic or prophylactic administration to a patient.

The phrase “one or more substituents”, as used herein, refers to anumber of substituents that equals from one to the maximum number ofsubstituents possible based on the number of available bonding sites,provided that the above conditions of stability and chemical feasibilityare met.

As used herein, the term “independently selected” means that the same ordifferent values may be selected for multiple instances of a givenvariable in a single compound.

As used herein, the term “aromatic” includes aryl and heteroaryl groupsas described generally below and herein.

The term “aliphatic” or “aliphatic group”, as used herein, means anoptionally substituted straight-chain or branched C₁₋₁₂ hydrocarbon. Forexample, suitable aliphatic groups include optionally substitutedlinear, or branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl groups and hybrids thereof.Unless otherwise specified, in various embodiments, aliphatic groupshave 1-12, 1-10, 1-8, 1-6, 1-4, 1-3, or 1-2 carbon atoms.

The term “alkyl”, used alone or as part of a larger moiety, refers to anoptionally substituted straight or branched chain hydrocarbon grouphaving 1-12, 1-10, 1-8, 1-6, 1-4, 1-3, or 1-2 carbon atoms.

The term “alkenyl”, used alone or as part of a larger moiety, refers toan optionally substituted straight or branched chain hydrocarbon grouphaving at least one double bond and having 2-12, 2-10, 2-8, 2-6, 2-4, or2-3 carbon atoms.

The term “alkynyl”, used alone or as part of a larger moiety, refers toan optionally substituted straight or branched chain hydrocarbon grouphaving at least one triple bond and having 2-12, 2-10, 2-8, 2-6, 2-4, or2-3 carbon atoms.

The terms “cycloaliphatic”, “carbocycle”, “carbocyclyl”, “carbocyclo”,or “carbocyclic”, used alone or as part of a larger moiety, refer to anoptionally substituted saturated or partially unsaturated cyclicaliphatic ring system having from 3 to about 14 ring carbon atoms. Insome embodiments, the cycloaliphatic group is an optionally substitutedmonocyclic hydrocarbon having 3-10, 3-8 or 3-6 ring carbon atoms.Cycloaliphatic groups include, without limitation, optionallysubstituted cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopentenyl,cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptyl, cycloheptenyl, cyclooctyl,cyclooctenyl, or cyclooctadienyl. The terms “cycloaliphatic”,“carbocycle”, “carbocyclyl”, “carbocyclo”, or “carbocyclic” also includeoptionally substituted bridged or fused bicyclic rings having 6-12,6-10, or 6-8 ring carbon atoms, wherein any individual ring in thebicyclic system has 3-8 ring carbon atoms.

The term “cycloalkyl” refers to an optionally substituted saturated ringsystem of about 3 to about 10 ring carbon atoms. Exemplary monocycliccycloalkyl rings include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl,cyclohexyl, and cycloheptyl.

The term “cycloalkenyl” refers to an optionally substituted non-aromaticmonocyclic or multicyclic ring system containing at least onecarbon-carbon double bond and having about 3 to about 10 carbon atoms.Exemplary monocyclic cycloalkenyl rings include cyclopentenyl,cyclohexenyl, and cycloheptenyl.

The terms “haloaliphatic”, “haloalkyl”, “haloalkenyl” and “haloalkoxy”refer to an aliphatic, alkyl, alkenyl or alkoxy group, as the case maybe, which is substituted with one or more halogen atoms. As used herein,the term “halogen” or “halo” means F, Cl, Br, or I. The term“fluoroaliphatic” refers to a haloaliphatic wherein the halogen isfluoro, including perfluorinated aliphatic groups. Examples offluoroaliphatic groups include, without limitation, fluoromethyl,difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl,1,1,2-trifluoroethyl, 1,2,2-trifluoroethyl, and pentafluoroethyl.

The term “heteroatom” refers to one or more of oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen,phosphorus, or silicon (including, any oxidized form of nitrogen,sulfur, phosphorus, or silicon; the quaternized form of any basicnitrogen or; a substitutable nitrogen of a heterocyclic ring, forexample N (as in 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrolyl), NH (as in pyrrolidinyl) orNR+ (as in N-substituted pyrrolidinyl)).

The terms “aryl” and “ar-”, used alone or as part of a larger moiety,e.g., “aralkyl”, “aralkoxy”, or “aryloxyalkyl”, refer to an optionallysubstituted C₆₋₁₄aromatic hydrocarbon moiety comprising one to threearomatic rings. Preferably, the aryl group is a C₆₋₁₀aryl group. Arylgroups include, without limitation, optionally substituted phenyl,naphthyl, or anthracenyl. The terms “aryl” and “ar-”, as used herein,also include groups in which an aryl ring is fused to one or morecycloaliphatic rings to form an optionally substituted cyclic structuresuch as a tetrahydronaphthyl, indenyl, or indanyl ring. The term “aryl”may be used interchangeably with the terms “aryl group”, “aryl ring”,and “aromatic ring”.

An “aralkyl” or “arylalkyl” group comprises an aryl group covalentlyattached to an alkyl group, either of which independently is optionallysubstituted. Preferably, the aralkyl group is C₆₋₁₀arylC₁₋₆alkyl,including, without limitation, benzyl, phenethyl, and naphthylmethyl.

The terms “heteroaryl” and “heteroar-”, used alone or as part of alarger moiety, e.g., “heteroaralkyl”, or “heteroaralkoxy”, refer togroups having 5 to 14 ring atoms, preferably 5, 6, 9, or 10 ring atoms;having 6, 10, or 14π electrons shared in a cyclic array; and having, inaddition to carbon atoms, from one to five heteroatoms. In someembodiments, the heteroaryl group has 5-10 ring atoms, having, inaddition to carbon atoms, from one to five heteroatoms. A heteroarylgroup may be mono-, bi-, tri-, or polycyclic, preferably mono-, bi-, ortricyclic, more preferably mono- or bicyclic. The term “heteroatom”refers to nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, and includes any oxidized form ofnitrogen or sulfur, and any quaternized form of a basic nitrogen. Forexample, a nitrogen atom of a heteroaryl may be a basic nitrogen atomand may also be optionally oxidized to the corresponding N-oxide. When aheteroaryl is substituted by a hydroxy group, it also includes itscorresponding tautomer. The terms “heteroaryl” and “heteroar-”, as usedherein, also include groups in which a heteroaromatic ring is fused toone or more aryl, cycloaliphatic, or heterocycloaliphatic rings.Nonlimiting examples of heteroaryl groups include thienyl, furanyl,pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxazolyl,isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridyl,pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, indolizinyl, purinyl,naphthyridinyl, pteridinyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, benzothienyl,benzofuranyl, dibenzofuranyl, indazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzthiazolyl,quinolyl, isoquinolyl, cinnolinyl, phthalazinyl, quinazolinyl,quinoxalinyl, 4H-quinolizinyl, carbazolyl, acridinyl, phenazinyl,phenothiazinyl, phenoxazinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl,tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, and pyrido[2,3-b]-1,4-oxazin-3(4H)-one. Theterm “heteroaryl” may be used interchangeably with the terms “heteroarylring”, “heteroaryl group”, or “heteroaromatic”, any of which termsinclude rings that are optionally substituted. The term “heteroaralkyl”refers to an alkyl group substituted by a heteroaryl, wherein the alkyland heteroaryl portions independently are optionally substituted.

As used herein, the terms “heterocycle”, “heterocyclyl”, “heterocyclicradical”, and “heterocyclic ring” are used interchangeably and refer toa stable 4-10 membered ring, preferably a 3- to 8-membered monocyclic or7-10-membered bicyclic heterocyclic moiety that is either saturated orpartially unsaturated, and having, in addition to carbon atoms, one ormore, preferably one to four, heteroatoms, as defined above. When usedin reference to a ring atom of a heterocycle, the term “nitrogen”includes a substituted nitrogen. As an example, in a saturated orpartially unsaturated ring having 0-3 heteroatoms selected from oxygen,sulfur or nitrogen, the nitrogen may be N (as in3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrolyl), NH (as in pyrrolidinyl), or NR+ (as inN-substituted pyrrolidinyl).

A heterocyclic ring can be attached to its pendant group at anyheteroatom or carbon atom that results in a stable structure and any ofthe ring atoms can be optionally substituted. Examples of such saturatedor partially unsaturated heterocyclic radicals include, withoutlimitation, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothienyl, piperidinyl,decahydroquinolinyl, oxazolidinyl, piperazinyl, dioxanyl, dioxolanyl,diazepinyl, oxazepinyl, thiazepinyl, morpholinyl, and thiomorpholinyl. Aheterocyclyl group may be mono-, bi-, tri-, or polycyclic, preferablymono-, bi-, or tricyclic, more preferably mono- or bicyclic. The term“heterocyclylalkyl” refers to an alkyl group substituted by aheterocyclyl, wherein the alkyl and heterocyclyl portions independentlyare optionally substituted. Additionally, a heterocyclic ring alsoincludes groups in which the heterocyclic ring is fused to one or morearyl rings.

As used herein, the term “partially unsaturated” refers to a ring moietythat includes at least one double or triple bond between ring atoms. Theterm “partially unsaturated” is intended to encompass rings havingmultiple sites of unsaturation, but is not intended to include aromatic(e.g., aryl or heteroaryl) moieties, as herein defined.

The term “alkylene” refers to a bivalent alkyl group. An “alkylenechain” is a polymethylene group, i.e., —(CH₂)_(n′)—, wherein n′ is apositive integer, preferably from 1 to 6, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 3, from1 to 2, or from 2 to 3. An optionally substituted alkylene chain is apolymethylene group in which one or more methylene hydrogen atoms isoptionally replaced with a substituent. Suitable substituents includethose described below for a substituted aliphatic group and also includethose described in the specification herein. It will be appreciated thattwo substituents of the alkylene group may be taken together to form aring system. In certain embodiments, two substituents can be takentogether to form a 3-7-membered ring. The substituents can be on thesame or different atoms.

An alkylene chain also can be optionally interrupted by a functionalgroup. An alkylene chain is “interrupted” by a functional group when aninternal methylene unit is interrupted by the functional group. Examplesof suitable “interrupting functional groups” are described in thespecification and claims herein.

For purposes of clarity, all bivalent groups described herein,including, e.g., the alkylene chain linkers described above, areintended to be read from left to right, with a correspondingleft-to-right reading of the formula or structure in which the variableappears.

An aryl (including aralkyl, aralkoxy, aryloxyalkyl and the like) orheteroaryl (including heteroaralkyl and heteroarylalkoxy and the like)group may contain one or more substituents and thus may be “optionallysubstituted”. In addition to the substituents defined above and herein,suitable substituents on the unsaturated carbon atom of an aryl orheteroaryl group also include and are generally selected from -halo,—NO₂, —CN, —R⁺, —C(R⁺)═C(R⁺)₂, —C≡C—R⁺, —OR⁺, —SR^(o), —S(O)R^(o),—SO₂R^(o), —SO₃R⁺, —SO₂N(R⁺)₂, —N(R⁺)₂, —NR⁺C(O)R⁺, —NR⁺C(S)R⁺,—NR⁺C(O)N(R⁺)₂, —NR⁺C(S)N(R⁺)₂, —N(R⁺)C(═NR⁺)—N(R⁺)₂,—N(R⁺)C(═NR⁺)—R^(o), —NR⁺CO₂R⁺, —NR⁺SO₂R^(o), —NR⁺SO₂N(R⁺)², —O—C(O)R⁺,—O—CO₂R⁺, —OC(O)N(R⁺)₂, —C(O)R⁺, —C(S)R^(o), —CO₂R⁺, —C(O)—C(O)R⁺,—C(O)N(R⁺)₂, —C(S)N(R⁺)₂, —C(O)N(R⁺)—OR⁺, —C(O)N(R⁺)C(═NR⁺)—N(R⁺)₂,—N(R⁺)C(═NR⁺)—N(R⁺)—C(O)R⁺, —C(═NR⁺)—N(R⁺)₂, —C(═NR⁺)—OR⁺,—N(R⁺)—N(R⁺)₂, —C(═NR⁺)—N(R⁺)—OR⁺, —C(R^(o))═N—OR⁺, —P(O)(R⁺)₂,—P(O)(OR⁺)₂, —O—P(O)—OR⁺, and —P(O)(NR⁺)—N(R⁺)₂, wherein R⁺,independently, is hydrogen or an optionally substituted aliphatic, aryl,heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, or heterocyclyl group, or two independentoccurrences of R⁺are taken together with their intervening atom(s) toform an optionally substituted 5-7-membered aryl, heteroaryl,cycloaliphatic, or heterocyclyl ring. Each R^(o) is an optionallysubstituted aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, or heterocyclylgroup.

An aliphatic or heteroaliphatic group, or a non-aromatic carbycyclic orheterocyclic ring may contain one or more substituents and thus may be“optionally substituted”. Unless otherwise defined above and herein,suitable substituents on the saturated carbon of an aliphatic orheteroaliphatic group, or of a non-aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclicring are selected from those listed above for the unsaturated carbon ofan aryl or heteroaryl group and additionally include the following: ═O,═S, ═C(R*)₂, ═N—N(R*)₂, ═N—OR*, ═N—NHC(O)R*, ═N—NHCO₂R^(o)═N—NHSO₂R^(o)or ═N—R* where R^(o) is defined above, and each R* is independentlyselected from hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphaticgroup.

In addition to the substituents defined above and herein, optionalsubstituents on the nitrogen of a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring alsoinclude and are generally selected from —R⁺, —N(R⁺)₂, —C(O)R⁺, —C(O)OR⁺,—C(O)C(O)R⁺, —C(O)CH₂C(O)R⁺, —S(O)₂R⁺, —S(O)₂N(R⁺)₂, —C(S)N(R⁺)₂,—C(═NH)—N(R⁺)₂, or —N(R⁺)S(O)₂R⁺; wherein each R⁺is defined above. Aring nitrogen atom of a heteroaryl or non-aromatic heterocyclic ringalso may be oxidized to form the corresponding N-hydroxy or N-oxidecompound. A nonlimiting example of such a heteroaryl having an oxidizedring nitrogen atom is N-oxidopyridyl.

As detailed above, in some embodiments, two independent occurrences ofR⁺(or any other variable similarly defined in the specification andclaims herein), are taken together with their intervening atom(s) toform a monocyclic or bicyclic ring selected from 3-13-memberedcycloaliphatic, 3-12-membered heterocyclyl having 1-5 heteroatomsindependently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, 6-10-memberedaryl, or 5-10-membered heteroaryl having 1-5 heteroatoms independentlyselected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.

Exemplary rings that are formed when two independent occurrences ofR⁺(or any other variable similarly defined in the specification andclaims herein), are taken together with their intervening atom(s)include, but are not limited to the following: a) two independentoccurrences of R⁺(or any other variable similarly defined in thespecification or claims herein) that are bound to the same atom and aretaken together with that atom to form a ring, for example, N(R⁺)₂, whereboth occurrences of R⁺are taken together with the nitrogen atom to forma piperidin-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl, or morpholin-4-yl group; and b) twoindependent occurrences of R⁺(or any other variable similarly defined inthe specification or claims herein) that are bound to different atomsand are taken together with both of those atoms to form a ring, forexample where a phenyl group is substituted with two occurrences of

these two occurrences of R⁺are taken together with the oxygen atoms towhich they are bound to form a fused 6-membered oxygen containing ring:

It will be appreciated that a variety of other rings (e.g., Spiro andbridged rings) can be formed when two independent occurrences of R+ (orany other variable similarly defined in the specification and claimsherein) are taken together with their intervening atom(s) and that theexamples detailed above are not intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise stated, structures depicted herein are also meant toinclude all isomeric (e.g., enantiomeric, diastereomeric, and geometric(or conformational)) forms of the structure; for example, the R and Sconfigurations for each asymmetric center, (Z) and (E) double bondisomers, and (Z) and (E) conformational isomers. Therefore, singlestereochemical isomers as well as enantiomeric, diastereomeric, andgeometric (or conformational) mixtures of the present compounds arewithin the scope of the invention. Unless otherwise stated, alltautomeric forms of the compounds of the invention are within the scopeof the invention. Additionally, unless otherwise stated, structuresdepicted herein are also meant to include compounds that differ only inthe presence of one or more isotopically enriched atoms. For example,compounds having the present structures except for the replacement ofhydrogen by deuterium or tritium, or the replacement of a carbon by a13C- or 14C-enriched carbon are within the scope of this invention. Suchcompounds are useful, for example, as analytical tools or probes inbiological assays.

The terms “stereoisomer”, “enantiomer”, “diastereomer”, “epimer”, and“chiral center”, are used herein in accordance with the meaning each isgiven in ordinary usage by those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus,stereoisomers are compounds that have the same atomic connectivity, butdiffer in the spatial arrangement of the atoms. Enantiomers arestereoisomers that have a mirror image relationship, that is, thestereochemical configuration at all corresponding chiral centers isopposite. Diastereomers are stereoisomers having more than one chiralcenter, which differ from one another in that the stereochemicalconfiguration of at least one, but not all, of the corresponding chiralcenters is opposite. Epimers are diastereomers that differ instereochemical configuration at only one chiral center.

It is to be understood that, when a disclosed compound has at least onechiral center, the present invention encompasses one enantiomer of thecompound, substantially free from the corresponding optical isomer, aracemic mixture of both optical isomers of the compound, and mixturesenriched in one enantiomer relative to its corresponding optical isomer.When a mixture is enriched in one enantiomer relative to its opticalisomer, the mixture contains, for example, an enantiomeric excess of atleast 50%, 75%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 99.5%.

The enantiomers of the present invention may be resolved by methodsknown to those skilled in the art, for example by formation ofdiastereoisomeric salts which may be separated, for example, bycrystallization; formation of diastereoisomeric derivatives or complexeswhich may be separated, for example, by crystallization, gas-liquid orliquid chromatography; selective reaction of one enantiomer with anenantiomer-specific reagent, for example enzymatic esterification; orgas-liquid or liquid chromatography in a chiral environment, for exampleon a chiral support for example silica with a bound chiral ligand or inthe presence of a chiral solvent. Where the desired enantiomer isconverted into another chemical entity by one of the separationprocedures described above, a further step is required to liberate thedesired enantiomeric form. Alternatively, specific enantiomers may besynthesized by asymmetric synthesis using optically active reagents,substrates, catalysts or solvents, or by converting one enantiomer intothe other by asymmetric transformation.

When a disclosed compound has at least two chiral centers, the presentinvention encompasses a diastereomer substantially free of otherdiastereomers, an enantiomeric pair of diastereomers substantially freeof other stereoisomers, mixtures of diastereomers, mixtures ofenantiomeric pairs of diastereomers, mixtures of diastereomers in whichone diastereomer is enriched relative to the other diastereomer(s), andmixtures of enantiomeric pairs of diastereomers in which oneenantiomeric pair of diastereomers is enriched relative to the otherstereoisomers. When a mixture is enriched in one diastereomer orenantiomeric pair of diastereomers pairs relative to the otherstereoisomers, the mixture is enriched with the depicted or referenceddiastereomer or enantiomeric pair of diastereomers relative to otherstereoisomers for the compound, for example, by a molar excess of atleast 50%, 75%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 99.5%.

As used herein, the term “diastereomeric ratio” refers to the ratiobetween diastereomers which differ in the stereochemical configurationat one chiral center, relative to a second chiral center in the samemolecule. By way of example, a chemical structure with two chiralcenters provides four possible stereoisomers: R*R, R*S, S*R, and S*S,wherein the asterisk denotes the corresponding chiral center in eachstereoisomer. The diastereomeric ratio for such a mixture ofstereoisomers is the ratio of one diastereomer and its enantiomer to theother diastereomer and its enantiomer ═(R*R+S*S):(R*S+S*R).

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additionalstereoisomers are possible when the molecule has more than two chiralcenters. For purposes of the present invention, the term “diastereomericratio” has identical meaning in reference to compounds with multiplechiral centers as it does in reference to compounds having two chiralcenters. Thus, the term “diastereomeric ratio” refers to the ratio ofall compounds having R*R or S*S configuration at the specified chiralcenters to all compounds having R*S or S*R configuration at thespecified chiral centers. For convenience, this ratio is referred toherein as the diastereomeric ratio at the asterisked carbon, relative tothe second specified chiral center.

The diastereomeric ratio can be measured by any analytical methodsuitable for distinguishing between diastereomeric compounds havingdifferent relative stereochemical configurations at the specified chiralcenters. Such methods include, without limitation, nuclear magneticresonance (NMR), gas chromatography (GC), and high performance liquidchromatography (HPLC) methods.

The diastereoisomeric pairs may be separated by methods known to thoseskilled in the art, for example chromatography or crystallization andthe individual enantiomers within each pair may be separated asdescribed above. Specific procedures for chromatographically separatingdiastereomeric pairs of precursors used in the preparation of compoundsdisclosed herein are provided the examples herein.

3. Description of Exemplary Compounds

In some embodiments, the compounds of the invention are represented byformula (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

wherein:

p is 0-3 and q is 1-4, and the total of p and q is 1-4; provided that pis not 0 when q is 2;

X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, or -L₁-R³—V₁—;

L₁ is a bond or unsubstituted C₁₋₃ alkylene chain;

R³ is a 6-membered aromatic ring containing 0-2 nitrogen atoms which isunsubstituted or substituted with 1-2 independent occurrences of R⁴;

each occurrence of R⁴ is independently chloro, fluoro, cyano, hydroxy,methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl, methyl, or ethyl;

V₁ is a bond, —NH—C(O)—, —C(O)—NH—, —NH—S(O)₂—, or —NH—C(O)—NH—;

Ring C is a 4-7 membered heterocyclic ring containing one nitrogen atom,wherein the nitrogen atom is not the atom bound to X;

-   -   wherein the nitrogen atom in Ring C is substituted with R^(9b)        and Ring C is unsubstituted or substituted by 1-4 occurrences of        R^(5b);

ring B is optionally further substituted with m occurrences of R¹;

each occurrence of R¹ is independently chloro, fluoro, cyano, hydroxy,methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl, methyl, or ethyl;

ring A is optionally further substituted with n occurrences of R²;

each occurrence of R² is independently fluoro, methyl, ortrifluoromethyl;

R^(9b) is hydrogen, unsubstituted C(O)—O—C₁₋₆ aliphatic, unsubstitutedC(O)—C₁₋₆ aliphatic, unsubstituted C(O)—C₃₋₁₀ cycloaliphatic, orunsubstituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic;

each occurrence of R^(5b) is independently chloro, fluoro, hydroxy,methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy,—C(O)NH₂, or —CO₂H;

m is 0-1; and

n is 0-2.

In some embodiments, the compounds of the invention are represented byformula (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

wherein:

p is 0-3 and q is 1-4, and the total of p and q is 1-4; provided that pis not 0 when q is 2;

X is —C(O)— or -L₁-R³—V₁—;

L₁ is a bond or unsubstituted C₁₋₃ alkylene chain;

R³ is a 6-membered aromatic ring containing 0-2 nitrogen atoms which isunsubstituted or substituted with 1-2 independent occurrences of R⁴;

each occurrence of R⁴ is independently chloro, fluoro, cyano, hydroxy,methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl, methyl, or ethyl;

V₁ is a bond, —NH—C(O)—, —C(O)—NH—, —NH—S(O)₂—, or —NH—C(O)—NH—;

Ring C is a 4-7 membered heterocyclic ring containing one nitrogen atom,wherein the nitrogen atom is not the atom bound to X;

-   -   wherein the nitrogen atom in Ring C is substituted with R^(9b)        and Ring C is unsubstituted or substituted by 1-4 occurrences of        R^(5b);

ring B is optionally further substituted with m occurrences of R¹;

each occurrence of R¹ is independently chloro, fluoro, cyano, hydroxy,methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl, methyl, or ethyl;

ring A is optionally further substituted with n occurrences of R²;

each occurrence of R² is independently fluoro, methyl, ortrifluoromethyl;

R^(9b) is hydrogen, unsubstituted C(O)—O—C₁₋₆ aliphatic, unsubstitutedC(O)—C₁₋₆ aliphatic, unsubstituted C(O)—C₃₋₁₀ cycloaliphatic, orunsubstituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic;

each occurrence of R^(5b) is independently chloro, fluoro, hydroxy,methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy,—C(O)NH₂, or —CO₂H;

m is 0-1; and

n is 0-2.

In some embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented byformulas (II-a)-(II-j):

wherein R¹, R², X, m, n, and Ring C have the values described herein. Incertain embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented byformula (II-a), (II-b), or (II-c) wherein R¹, R², X, m, n, and Ring Chave the values described herein. In certain embodiments, the compoundof formula (I) is represented by formula (II-a) or (II-c) wherein R¹,R², X, m, n, and Ring C have the values described herein.

In some embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented byformulas (III-a)-(III-j):

wherein X, and Ring C have the values described herein. In certainembodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented by formula(III-a), (III-b), or (III-c) wherein X and Ring C have the valuesdescribed herein. In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (I) isrepresented by formula (III-a) or (III-c) wherein X and Ring C have thevalues described herein.

In some embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented byformula (IV):

wherein R^(9b), z, X, p, and q have the values described herein, andwherein Ring C can additionally be substituted by one occurrence ofR^(5b), wherein R^(5b) has the values described herein.

The values described below for each variable are with respect to any offormulas (I), (II), (III), (IV), (V) or their sub-formulas as describedherein.

The variable p is 0-3 and the variable q is 1-4, and the total of p andq is 1-4. In some embodiments, p is 0-3 and q is 1-4, and the total of pand q is 1-4; provided that p is not 0 when q is 2.

In some embodiments, p is 0 and q is 1. In some embodiments, p is 0 andq is 2. In some embodiments, p is 0 and q is 3. In some embodiments, pis 0 and q is 4. In some embodiments, p is 1 and q is 1. In someembodiments, p is 1 and q is 2. In some embodiments, p is 1 and q is 3.In some embodiments, p is 2 and q is 1. In some embodiments, p is 2 andq is 2. In some embodiments, p is 3 and q is 1.

The variable X is —C(O)— or -L₁-R³—V₁—, wherein L₁, R³, and V₁ have thevalues described herein. In some embodiments, X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, or-L₁-R³—V₁—, wherein L₁, R³, and V₁ have the values described herein. Insome embodiments, X is —C(O)—. In some embodiments, X is —CH₂—. In someembodiments, X is -L₁-R³—V₁—, wherein L₁, R³, and V₁ have the valuesdescribed herein. In some embodiments, X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—,

wherein V₁, Y and t have the values described herein.

In some embodiments, X is -L₁-R³—V₁—, wherein L₁, R³, and V₁ have thevalues described herein. In some embodiments, X is —C(O)—,

wherein V₁, Y and t have the values described herein.

In certain embodiments, X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—,

In certain embodiments, X is —C(O)—,

In certain embodiments, X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-i, X-ii, X-xi, X-xiv, orX-xxiv.

In certain embodiments, X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-ii, X-xi, X-xii, X-xxii,X-xxiv, or X-xxv.

In certain embodiments, X is —C(O)—, X-ii, X-xi, X-xii, X-xxii, X-xxiv,or X-xxv.

The variable L₁ is a bond or unsubstituted or substituted C₁₋₃ alkylenechain. In some embodiments, L₁ is a bond, —CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂—, or—CH₂CH₂CH₂—. In certain embodiments, L₁ is a bond. In certainembodiments, L₁ is —CH₂—. In certain embodiments, L₁ is —CH₂CH₂—.

The variable R³ is a 6-membered aromatic ring containing 0-2 nitrogenatoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1-2 independentoccurrences of R⁴, wherein R⁴ has the values described herein. In someembodiments, R³ is phenyl or pyridyl, each of which is unsubstituted orsubstituted with 1-2 independent occurrences of R⁴, wherein R⁴ has thevalues described herein. In some embodiments, R³ is:

wherein each ring is unsubstituted or substituted with 1-2 independentoccurrences of R⁴.

The variable R⁴ is chloro, fluoro, cyano, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy,trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl, methyl, or ethyl. In someembodiments, R⁴ is chloro, fluoro, methyl or ethyl.

The variable V₁ is a bond, —NH—C(O)—, —C(O)—NH—, —NH—S(O)₂—, or—NH—C(O)—NH—. In some embodiments, V₁ is a bond or —NH—C(O)—. In certainembodiments, V₁ is a bond. In certain embodiments, V₁ is —NH—C(O)—.

Ring C is a 4-7 membered heterocyclic ring containing one nitrogen atom,wherein the nitrogen atom is not the atom bound to X, and wherein thenitrogen atom in Ring C is substituted with R^(9b) and Ring C isunsubstituted or substituted by 1-4 occurrences of R^(5b); whereinR^(9b), X, and R^(5b) have the values described herein. In someembodiments, Ring C is a 4-7 membered heterocyclic ring containing onenitrogen atom, wherein the nitrogen atom is not the atom bound to X, andwherein the nitrogen atom in Ring C is substituted with R^(9b) and RingC is unsubstituted or substituted by 1-2 occurrences of R^(5b); whereinR^(9b), X, and R^(5b) have the values described herein.

In certain embodiments, Ring C is:

wherein Ring C is unsubstituted or substituted with 1 occurrence ofR^(5b), wherein R^(9b) and R^(5b) have the values described herein. Incertain embodiments, Ring C is:

wherein R^(9b), z and R^(5bb) have the values described herein.

Ring B is optionally further substituted with m occurrences of R¹,wherein m and R¹ have the values described herein.

Each occurrence of the variable R¹ is independently chloro, fluoro,cyano, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl,methyl, or ethyl. In some embodiments, each occurrence of the variableR¹ is independently chloro, fluoro, methyl, or ethyl.

Ring A is optionally further substituted with n occurrences of R²,wherein n and R² have the values described herein.

Each occurrence of the variable R² is independently fluoro, methyl, ortrifluoromethyl. In some embodiments, each occurrence of the variable R²is independently fluoro or methyl.

The variable R^(9b) is hydrogen, unsubstituted C(O)—O—C₁₋₆ aliphatic,unsubstituted C(O)—C₁₋₆ aliphatic, unsubstituted C(O)—C₃₋₁₀cycloaliphatic, or unsubstituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic. In some embodiments,R^(9b) is unsubstituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic. In some embodiments, R^(9b) ishydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, or tert-butoxycarbonyl. In someembodiments, R^(9b) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl. In someembodiments, R^(9b) is methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl. In certainembodiments, R^(9b) is hydrogen.

Each occurrence of the variable R^(5b) is independently chloro, fluoro,hydroxy, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl,trifluoromethoxy, —C(O)NH₂, or —CO₂H. In some embodiments, eachoccurrence of the variable R^(5b) is independently chloro, fluoro,methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, —C(O)NH₂, or —CO₂H. In some embodiments,each occurrence of the variable R^(5b) is independently chloro, fluoro,hydroxy, methyl, or ethyl. In some embodiments, each occurrence of thevariable R^(5b) is independently chloro, fluoro, methyl, or ethyl. Incertain embodiments, each occurrence of the variable R^(5b) is methyl.

The variable R^(5bb) is hydrogen or methyl. In some embodiments, R^(5bb)is hydrogen. In some embodiments, R^(5bb) is methyl.

The variable m is 0-1. In some embodiments, m is 0. In some embodiments,m is 1.

The variable n is 0-2. In some embodiments, n is 0-1. In someembodiments, n is 0. In some embodiments, n is 1. In some embodiments, nis 2.

The variable t is 0-2. In some embodiments, t is 0-1. In certainembodiments, t is 0. In certain embodiments, t is 1. In certainembodiments, t is 2.

The variable z is 0-1. In some embodiments, z is 0. In some embodiments,z is 1.

In certain embodiments, for the compound of formula (I):

p is 0 and q is 1; or p is 1 and q is 1; or p is 0 and q is 2;

m is 0;

n is 0;

Ring C is pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl;

Ring C is unsubstituted or substituted with one occurrence of R^(5b);and

R^(5b) is methyl.

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented byformula (IV):

wherein

p is 0 and q is 1; or p is 1 and q is 1; or p is 0 and q is 2;

R^(9b) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, or tert-butoxycarbonyl;

X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-a, X-b, X-c, X-d, X-e, X-f, or X-g;

Ring C is pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl;

Ring C is unsubstituted or substituted with one occurrence of R^(5b);

R^(5b) is methyl; and

z has the values described herein.

In certain such embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is representedby formula (IV) wherein p is 0 and q is 1. In certain such embodiments,the compound of formula (I) is represented by formula (IV) wherein p is0 and q is 1; and X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-a, X-c, or X-g. In certain suchembodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented by formula (IV)wherein or p is 1 and q is 1. In certain such embodiments, the compoundof formula (I) is represented by formula (IV) wherein or p is 1 and q is1; and X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-a, X-c, or X-g. In certain suchembodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented by formula (IV)wherein p is 0 and q is 2. In certain such embodiments, the compound offormula (I) is represented by formula (IV) wherein p is 0 and q is 2;and X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-a, X-c, or X-g.

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented byformula (IV):

wherein

p is 0 and q is 1; or p is 1 and q is 1; or p is 0 and q is 2;

R^(9b) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, or tert-butoxycarbonyl;

X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-i, X-ii, X-xi, X-xiv, or X-xxiv;

Ring C is pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl;

Ring C is unsubstituted or substituted with one occurrence of R^(5b);

R^(5b) is methyl; and

z has the values described herein.

In certain such embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is representedby formula (IV) wherein p is 0 and q is 1. In certain such embodiments,the compound of formula (I) is represented by formula (IV) wherein or pis 1 and q is 1. In certain such embodiments, the compound of formula(I) is represented by formula (IV) wherein p is 0 and q is 2.

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented by:

wherein:

R^(9b) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, or tert-butoxycarbonyl;

X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-a, X-b, X-c, X-d, X-e, X-f, or X-g;

Ring C is unsubstituted or substituted with one occurrence of R^(5b);

R^(5b) is methyl; and

z has the values described herein.

In certain such embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is representedby formula (IV-a) wherein X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-a, X-c, or X-g.

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented by:

wherein:

R^(9b) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, or tert-butoxycarbonyl;

X is —C(O)—, X-a, X-b, X-c, X-d, X-e, X-f, or X-g;

Ring C is unsubstituted or substituted with one occurrence of R^(5b);

R^(5b) is methyl; and

z has the values described herein.

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented by:

wherein:

R^(9b) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl;

X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-a, X-b, X-c, X-d, X-e, X-f, or X-g;

Ring C is unsubstituted or substituted with one occurrence of R^(5b);

R^(5b) is methyl; and

z has the values described herein.

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented by:

wherein:

R^(9b) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl;

X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-a, X-c, or X-g;

Ring C is unsubstituted or substituted with one occurrence of R^(5b);

R^(5b) is methyl; and

z has the values described herein.

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented by:

wherein:

R^(9b) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, or tert-butoxycarbonyl;

X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-ii, X-xi, X-xii, X-xxii, X-xxiv, or X-xxv;

R^(5bb) is hydrogen or methyl; and

z has the values described herein.

In certain such embodiments, R^(5bb) is hydrogen and z is 0. In certainsuch embodiments, R^(5bb) is hydrogen and z is 1. In certain suchembodiments, R^(5bb) is methyl and z is 0. In certain such embodiments,R^(5bb) is methyl and z is 1.

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented by:

wherein:

R^(9b) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl;

X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-ii, X-xi, X-xii, X-xxii, X-xxiv, or X-xxv;

R^(5bb) is hydrogen or methyl; and

z has the values described herein.

In certain such embodiments, R^(5bb) is hydrogen and z is 0. In certainsuch embodiments, R^(5bb) is hydrogen and z is 1. In certain suchembodiments, R^(5bb) is methyl and z is 0. In certain such embodiments,R^(5bb) is methyl and z is 1.

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented by:

wherein:

R^(9b) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, or tert-butoxycarbonyl;

X is —C(O)—, X-ii, X-xi, X-xii, X-xxii, X-xxiv, or X-xxv;

R^(5bb) is hydrogen or methyl; and

z has the values described herein.

In certain such embodiments, R^(5bb) is hydrogen and z is 0. In certainsuch embodiments, R^(5bb) is hydrogen and z is 1. In certain suchembodiments, R^(5bb) is methyl and z is 0. In certain such embodiments,R^(5bb) is methyl and z is 1.

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented by:

wherein:

R^(9b) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl;

X is —C(O)—, X-ii, X-xi, X-xii, X-xxii, X-xxiv, or X-xxv;

R^(5bb) is hydrogen or methyl; and

z has the values described herein.

In certain such embodiments, R^(5bb) is hydrogen and z is 0. In certainsuch embodiments, R^(5bb) is hydrogen and z is 1. In certain suchembodiments, R^(5bb) is methyl and z is 0. In certain such embodiments,R^(5bb) is methyl and z is 1.

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is represented by:

wherein:

R^(9b) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl;

X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-i, X-ii, X-xi, X-xiv, or X-xxiv;

R^(5bb) is hydrogen or methyl; and

z has the values described herein.

In certain such embodiments, R^(5bb) is hydrogen and z is 0. In certainsuch embodiments, R^(5bb) is hydrogen and z is 1. In certain suchembodiments, R^(5bb) is methyl and z is 0. In certain such embodiments,R^(5bb) is methyl and z is 1.

Representative examples of compounds of formula (I) are shown in Table1:

The compounds in Table 1 above may also be identified by the followingchemical names:

I-1N-hydroxy-2-[(4-methylpiperidin-4-yl)carbonyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxamideI-22-[(1-ethyl-4-methylpiperidin-4-yl)carbonyl]-N-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxamide I-3N-hydroxy-2-(4-piperidin-4-ylbenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxamideI-4N-hydroxy-2-(4-{[(4-methylpiperidin-4-yl)carbonyl]amino}benzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxamide I-5 tert-butyl4-(4-{[6-[(hydroxyamino)carbonyl]-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl]methyl}phenyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate I-6 tert-butyl4-{[(4-{[6-[(hydroxyamino)carbonyl]-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl]methyl}phenyl)amino]carbonyl}-4-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate I-7N-hydroxy-2-(4-pyrrolidin-3-ylphenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxamideI-8N-hydroxy-2-[(6-{[(4-methylpiperidin-4-yl)carbonyl]amino}pyridin-3-yl)methyl]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-2-benzazepine-7-carboxamide I-9N-hydroxy-2-[(4-methylpiperidin-4-yl)methyl]isoindoline-5-carboxamideI-10N-hydroxy-2-[2-(4-pyrrolidin-3-ylphenyl)ethyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-carboxamideI-112-(2-{[(1-ethyl-4-methylpiperidin-4-yl)carbonyl]amino}pyridin-4-yl)-N-hydroxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-2-benzazepine-7-carboxamide I-12N-hydroxy-2-[2-(4-piperidin-4-ylphenyl)ethyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxamideI-13 tert-butyl4-{[6-[(hydroxyamino)carbonyl]-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl]carbonyl}-4-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate

4. General Synthetic Methods and Intermediates

The compounds of the present invention can be prepared by methods knownto one of ordinary skill in the art and/or by reference to the schemesshown below and the synthetic examples that follow. Exemplary syntheticroutes are set forth in below, and in the Examples. One of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that transformations shown below canalso be carried out on analogous compounds containing one or moresubstitutents on Rings A and B.

Scheme 1 shows a general route for preparing compounds of formula iii.As shown in scheme 1, methyl1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate hydrochloride salt i, istreated with a carboxylic acid, R³—CO₂H, using a coupling agent in thepresence of a base (Method A). Suitable coupling agents include, but arenot limited to, 2-(1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluroniumhexafluorophosphate (HBTU), orO-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluroniumhexafluorophosphate (HATU). Suitable bases for Method A include, but arenot limited to, triethylamine, N,N′-diisoproplyethylamine andN-methylmorpholine. Suitable solvents for Method A include, but are notlimited to, dichloromethane (DCM), tetrahydrofuran (THF),N,N′-dimethylformamide (DMF), N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) orN,N′-dimethylacetamide. Conversion of ii to the correspondinghydroxamate iii is achieved by heating ii in the presence of thepotassium salt of hydroxylamine in an appropriate solvent such asmethanol (Method B).

Scheme 2 shows a general route for preparing compounds of formula vi.Amides of formula iv, where v is 1-2, are prepared by Method A, usingeither chloroacetic acid or 3-chloroproponic acid, and are then reactedwith oxygen (R³—OH) or nitrogen nucleophiles (R³—NH₂) in a solvent suchas CH₂Cl₂ or DMF, in the presence of a base, such asN,N′-diisoproplyethylamine (Method C; see Takikawa et al., Organic Lett.2007, 9(14):2713-2716; Slee et al., J. Med. Chem. 2008, 51(6):1730-1739)to give compounds of formula vi where X is —O— or —NH—. Subsequentconversion of compounds of formula v to the corresponding hydroxamatesvi is carried out as described in Scheme 1 using Method B.

Scheme 3 shows a general route for preparing compounds of formula viii.As shown in Scheme 3, methyl1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate hydrochloride salt i istreated with appropriate sulfonyl chloride, R³—SO₂Cl, and DMAP in DMF atambient temperature overnight (Method D). Method D may also be carriedout in a solvents such as DCM or N,N′-dimethylacetamide. Subsequentconversion of the resulting compounds of formula vii to thecorresponding hydroxamates viii is carried out as described in Scheme 1using Method B.

Scheme 4 shows a general route for preparing compounds of formula xi.Sulfonamides of formula ix bearing a pendant aromatic bromide can beprepared as described in Method D, and are then subjected to a Suzukicoupling with a boronic acid, R^(5d)—B(OH)₂, in the presence of aPd-catalyst such as Pd(PPh₃)₄, and a base such as Na₂CO₃ (see Weinsteinet al, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2005 15(5): 1435-1440) to affordsulfonamides of formula x. Subsequent conversion of compounds of formulax to the corresponding hydroxamates of formula xi is carried out asdescribed in Scheme 1 using Method B.

Scheme 5 shows a general route for preparing compounds of formula xiii.As shown in Scheme 5, methyl1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate hydrochloride salt i istreated with an appropriate alkyl halide (R³—CH₂—Br or R³—CH₂—Cl), inthe presence of a suitable base such as Et₃N in a solvent such as DMF(Method F) to afford compounds of formula xii. Alternatively, areductive alkylation with either a ketone or aldehyde employing reducingagents such as sodium triacetoxyborohydride can be used to affordcompounds of formula xii (Method L). Subsequent conversion of compoundsof formula xii to the corresponding hydroxamate xiii is carried out asdescribed in Scheme 1 (Method B).

Scheme 6 shows a general route for preparing compounds of formula xvi.As shown in Scheme 6, methyl1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate hydrochloride salt i istreated with an appropriate amino substituted aryl or heteroaryl bromideor iodide, in the presence of a suitable base such as K-Ot-Bu andcatalyst such as Pd₂(dba)₃ in a solvent such as toluene (Method G) toafford compounds of formula xiv. The resulting anilines are thenacylated in the presence of an acid fluoride or acid chloride in asolvent such as DCM or DMF (Method H) to provide compounds of formulaxv. Subsequent conversion of compounds of formula xv to thecorresponding hydroxamate xvi is carried out as described in Scheme 1(Method B).

Scheme 7 shows an alternative general route for preparing compounds offormula xix. As shown in Scheme 7, compounds of formula xiv are treatedwith sodium nitrite in water followed by potassium iodide (Method I) toafford compounds of formula xvi. The resulting iodide is then coupled toa nitrogen containing heterocycle (C) via a 2 step procedure involving aPd-mediated Heck coupling and reduction (Method J) to provide compoundsof formula xviii. Subsequent conversion of compounds of formula xv tothe corresponding hydroxamate xix is carried out as described in Scheme1 (Method B).

5. Uses, Formulation and Administration

As discussed above, the present invention provides compounds andpharmaceutical compositions that are useful as inhibitors of HDACenzymes, particularly HDAC6, and thus the present compounds are usefulfor treating proliferative, inflammatory, infectious, neurological orcardiovascular disorders.

The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of the invention areparticularly useful for the treatment of cancer. As used herein, theterm “cancer” refers to a cellular disorder characterized byuncontrolled or disregulated cell proliferation, decreased cellulardifferentiation, inappropriate ability to invade surrounding tissue,and/or ability to establish new growth at ectopic sites. The term“cancer” includes, but is not limited to, solid tumors and bloodbornetumors. The term “cancer” encompasses diseases of skin, tissues, organs,bone, cartilage, blood, and vessels. The term “cancer” furtherencompasses primary and metastatic cancers.

In some embodiments, therefore, the invention provides the compound offormula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use intreating cancer. In some embodiments, the invention provides apharmaceutical composition (as described herein) for the treatment ofcancer comprising the compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof. In some embodiments, the invention provides theuse of the compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition (asdescribed herein) for the treatment of cancer. In some embodiments, theinvention provides the use of an effective amount of the compound offormula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for thetreatment of cancer.

Non-limiting examples of solid tumors that can be treated with thedisclosed inhibitors include pancreatic cancer; bladder cancer;colorectal cancer; breast cancer, including metastatic breast cancer;prostate cancer, including androgen-dependent and androgen-independentprostate cancer; renal cancer, including, e.g., metastatic renal cellcarcinoma; hepatocellular cancer; lung cancer, including, e.g.,non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC),and adenocarcinoma of the lung; ovarian cancer, including, e.g.,progressive epithelial or primary peritoneal cancer; cervical cancer;gastric cancer; esophageal cancer; head and neck cancer, including,e.g., squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; melanoma;neuroendocrine cancer, including metastatic neuroendocrine tumors; braintumors, including, e.g., glioma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma, adultglioblastoma multiforme, and adult anaplastic astrocytoma; bone cancer;and soft tissue sarcoma.

Non-limiting examples of hematologic malignancies that can be treatedwith the disclosed inhibitors include acute myeloid leukemia (AML);chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), including accelerated CML and CMLblast phase (CML-BP); acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); chroniclymphocytic leukemia (CLL); Hodgkin's disease (HD); non-Hodgkin'slymphoma (NHL), including follicular lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma;B-cell lymphoma; T-cell lymphoma; multiple myeloma (MM); Waldenstrom'smacroglobulinemia; myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), including refractoryanemia (RA), refractory anemia with ringed siderblasts (RARS),(refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB), and RAEB in transformation(RAEB-T); and myeloproliferative syndromes.

In some embodiments, compounds of the invention are suitable for thetreatment of breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, multiplemyeloma, acute myeloid leukemia or acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

In other embodiments, compounds of the invention are suitable for thetreatment of inflammatory and cardiovascular disorders including, butnot limited to, allergies/anaphylaxis, acute and chronic inflammation,rheumatoid arthritis; autoimmunity disorders, thrombosis, hypertension,cardiac hypertrophy, and heart failure.

Accordingly, in another aspect of the present invention, pharmaceuticalcompositions are provided, wherein these compositions comprise any ofthe compounds as described herein, and optionally comprise apharmaceutically acceptable, carrier, adjuvant or vehicle. In certainembodiments, these compositions optionally further comprise one or moreadditional therapeutic agents.

It will also be appreciated that certain of the compounds of presentinvention can exist in free form for treatment, or where appropriate, asa pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof. According to thepresent invention, a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative includes,but is not limited to, pharmaceutically acceptable prodrugs, salts,esters, salts of such esters, or any other adduct or derivative whichupon administration to a patient in need is capable of providing,directly or indirectly, a compound as otherwise described herein, or ametabolite or residue thereof.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers tothose salts which are, within the scope of sound medical judgement,suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animalswithout undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response and the like, andare commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. A“pharmaceutically acceptable salt” means any non-toxic salt or salt ofan ester of a compound of this invention that, upon administration to arecipient, is capable of providing, either directly or indirectly, acompound of this invention or an inhibitorily active metabolite orresidue thereof. As used herein, the term “inhibitorily activemetabolite or residue thereof” means that a metabolite or residuethereof is also an inhibitor of HDAC6.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known in the art. Forexample, S. M. Berge et al., describe pharmaceutically acceptable saltsin detail in J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1977, 66, 1-19, incorporatedherein by reference. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compoundsof this invention include those derived from suitable inorganic andorganic acids and bases. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable,nontoxic acid addition salts are salts of an amino group formed withinorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoricacid, sulfuric acid and perchloric acid or with organic acids such asacetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid,succinic acid or malonic acid or by using other methods used in the artsuch as ion exchange. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts includeadipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate,bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate,cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate,formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate,hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydroiodide,2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, laurylsulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate,2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate,pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate,pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate,thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and thelike. Salts derived from appropriate bases include alkali metal,alkaline earth metal, ammonium and N⁺(C₁₋₄alkyl)₄ salts. This inventionalso envisions the quaternization of any basic nitrogen-containinggroups of the compounds disclosed herein. Water or oil-soluble ordispersable products may be obtained by such quaternization.Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts include sodium,lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like. Furtherpharmaceutically acceptable salts include, when appropriate, nontoxicammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations formed usingcounterions such as halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate,nitrate, loweralkyl sulfonate and aryl sulfonate.

As described above, the pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of thepresent invention additionally comprise a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier, adjuvant, or vehicle, which, as used herein, includes any andall solvents, diluents, or other liquid vehicle, dispersion orsuspension aids, surface active agents, isotonic agents, thickening oremulsifying agents, preservatives, solid binders, lubricants and thelike, as suited to the particular dosage form desired. Remington'sPharmaceutical Sciences, Sixteenth Edition, E. W. Martin (MackPublishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1980) discloses various carriers used informulating pharmaceutically acceptable compositions and knowntechniques for the preparation thereof. Except insofar as anyconventional carrier medium is incompatible with the compounds of theinvention, such as by producing any undesirable biological effect orotherwise interacting in a deleterious manner with any othercomponent(s) of the pharmaceutically acceptable composition, its use iscontemplated to be within the scope of this invention. Some examples ofmaterials which can serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriersinclude, but are not limited to, ion exchangers, alumina, aluminumstearate, lecithin, serum proteins, such as human serum albumin, buffersubstances such as phosphates, glycine, sorbic acid, or potassiumsorbate, partial glyceride mixtures of saturated vegetable fatty acids,water, salts or electrolytes, such as protamine sulfate, disodiumhydrogen phosphate, potassium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, zincsalts, colloidal silica, magnesium trisilicate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone,polyacrylates, waxes, polyethylene-polyoxypropylene-block polymers, woolfat, sugars such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; starches such as cornstarch and potato starch; cellulose and its derivatives such as sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate; powderedtragacanth; malt; gelatin; talc; excipients such as cocoa butter andsuppository waxes; oils such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil; saffloweroil; sesame oil; olive oil; corn oil and soybean oil; glycols; such apropylene glycol or polyethylene glycol; esters such as ethyl oleate andethyl laurate; agar; buffering agents such as magnesium hydroxide andaluminum hydroxide; alginic acid; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline;Ringer's solution; ethyl alcohol, and phosphate buffer solutions, aswell as other non-toxic compatible lubricants such as sodium laurylsulfate and magnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, releasingagents, coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents,preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the composition,according to the judgment of the formulator.

In yet another aspect, a method for treating a proliferative,inflammatory, infectious, neurological or cardiovascular disorder isprovided comprising administering an effective amount of a compound, ora pharmaceutical composition to a subject in need thereof. In certainembodiments of the present invention an “effective amount” of thecompound or pharmaceutical composition is that amount effective fortreating a proliferative, inflammatory, infectious, neurological orcardiovascular disorder, or is that amount effective for treatingcancer. In other embodiments, an “effective amount” of a compound is anamount which inhibits binding of HDAC6, and thereby blocks the resultingsignaling cascades that lead to the abnormal activity of growth factors,receptor tyrosine kinases, protein serine/threonine kinases, G proteincoupled receptors and phospholipid kinases and phosphatases.

The compounds and compositions, according to the method of the presentinvention, may be administered using any amount and any route ofadministration effective for treating the disease. The exact amountrequired will vary from subject to subject, depending on the species,age, and general condition of the subject, the severity of theinfection, the particular agent, its mode of administration, and thelike. The compounds of the invention are preferably formulated in dosageunit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Theexpression “dosage unit form” as used herein refers to a physicallydiscrete unit of agent appropriate for the patient to be treated. Itwill be understood, however, that the total daily usage of the compoundsand compositions of the present invention will be decided by theattending physician within the scope of sound medical judgment. Thespecific effective dose level for any particular patient or organismwill depend upon a variety of factors including the disease beingtreated and the severity of the disease; the activity of the specificcompound employed; the specific composition employed; the age, bodyweight, general health, sex and diet of the patient; the time ofadministration, route of administration, and rate of excretion of thespecific compound employed; the duration of the treatment; drugs used incombination or coincidental with the specific compound employed, andlike factors well known in the medical arts. The term “patient”, as usedherein, means an animal, preferably a mammal, and most preferably ahuman.

The pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of this invention can beadministered to humans and other animals orally, rectally, parenterally,intracisternally, intravaginally, intraperitoneally, topically (as bypowders, ointments, or drops), bucally, as an oral or nasal spray, orthe like, depending on the severity of the infection being treated. Incertain embodiments, the compounds of the invention may be administeredorally or parenterally at dosage levels of about 0.01 mg/kg to about 50mg/kg and preferably from about 1 mg/kg to about 25 mg/kg, of subjectbody weight per day, one or more times a day, to obtain the desiredtherapeutic effect.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include, but are not limitedto, pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, microemulsions, solutions,suspensions, syrups and elixirs. In addition to the active compounds,the liquid dosage forms may contain inert diluents commonly used in theart such as, for example, water or other solvents, solubilizing agentsand emulsifiers such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethylcarbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propyleneglycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, dimethylformamide, oils (in particular,cottonseed, groundnut, corn, germ, olive, castor, and sesame oils),glycerol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fattyacid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof. Besides inert diluents,the oral compositions can also include adjuvants such as wetting agents,emulsifying and suspending agents, sweetening, flavoring, and perfumingagents.

Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous oroleaginous suspensions may be formulated according to the known artusing suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. Thesterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectablesolution, suspension or emulsion in a nontoxic parenterally acceptablediluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Amongthe acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water,Ringer's solution, U.S.P. and isotonic sodium chloride solution. Inaddition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solventor suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil can beemployed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fattyacids such as oleic acid are used in the preparation of injectables.

The injectable formulations can be sterilized, for example, byfiltration through a bacterial-retaining filter, or by incorporatingsterilizing agents in the form of sterile solid compositions which canbe dissolved or dispersed in sterile water or other sterile injectablemedium prior to use.

In order to prolong the effect of a compound of the present invention,it is often desirable to slow the absorption of the compound fromsubcutaneous or intramuscular injection. This may be accomplished by theuse of a liquid suspension of crystalline or amorphous material withpoor water solubility. The rate of absorption of the compound thendepends upon its rate of dissolution that, in turn, may depend uponcrystal size and crystalline form. Alternatively, delayed absorption ofa parenterally administered compound form is accomplished by dissolvingor suspending the compound in an oil vehicle. Injectable depot forms aremade by forming microencapsule matrices of the compound in biodegradablepolymers such as polylactide-polyglycolide. Depending upon the ratio ofcompound to polymer and the nature of the particular polymer employed,the rate of compound release can be controlled. Examples of otherbiodegradable polymers include poly(orthoesters) and poly(anhydrides).Depot injectable formulations are also prepared by entrapping thecompound in liposomes or microemulsions that are compatible with bodytissues.

Compositions for rectal or vaginal administration are preferablysuppositories which can be prepared by mixing the compounds of thisinvention with suitable non-irritating excipients or carriers such ascocoa butter, polyethylene glycol or a suppository wax which are solidat ambient temperature but liquid at body temperature and therefore meltin the rectum or vaginal cavity and release the active compound.

Solid dosage forms for oral administration include capsules, tablets,pills, powders, and granules. In such solid dosage forms, the activecompound is mixed with at least one inert, pharmaceutically acceptableexcipient or carrier such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphateand/or a) fillers or extenders such as starches, lactose, sucrose,glucose, mannitol, and silicic acid, b) binders such as, for example,carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidinone,sucrose, and acacia, c) humectants such as glycerol, d) disintegratingagents such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch,alginic acid, certain silicates, and sodium carbonate, e) solutionretarding agents such as paraffin, f) absorption accelerators such asquaternary ammonium compounds, g) wetting agents such as, for example,cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate, h) absorbents such as kaolinand bentonite clay, and i) lubricants such as talc, calcium stearate,magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate,and mixtures thereof. In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, thedosage form may also comprise buffering agents.

Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers insoft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactoseor milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols andthe like. The solid dosage forms of tablets, dragees, capsules, pills,and granules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as entericcoatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulatingart. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of acomposition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, orpreferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally,in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions that can be usedinclude polymeric substances and waxes. Solid compositions of a similartype may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatincapsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as highmolecular weight polethylene glycols and the like.

The active compounds can also be in micro-encapsulated form with one ormore excipients as noted above. The solid dosage forms of tablets,dragees, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings andshells such as enteric coatings, release controlling coatings and othercoatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art. In such soliddosage forms the active compound may be admixed with at least one inertdiluent such as sucrose, lactose or starch. Such dosage forms may alsocomprise, as is normal practice, additional substances other than inertdiluents, e.g., tableting lubricants and other tableting aids such amagnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose. In the case ofcapsules, tablets and pills, the dosage forms may also comprisebuffering agents. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and canalso be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s)only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract,optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions thatcan be used include polymeric substances and waxes.

Dosage forms for topical or transdermal administration of a compound ofthis invention include ointments, pastes, creams, lotions, gels,powders, solutions, sprays, inhalants or patches. The active componentis admixed under sterile conditions with a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier and any needed preservatives or buffers as may be required.Ophthalmic formulation, ear drops, and eye drops are also contemplatedas being within the scope of this invention. Additionally, the presentinvention contemplates the use of transdermal patches, which have theadded advantage of providing controlled delivery of a compound to thebody. Such dosage forms can be made by dissolving or dispensing thecompound in the proper medium. Absorption enhancers can also be used toincrease the flux of the compound across the skin. The rate can becontrolled by either providing a rate controlling membrane or bydispersing the compound in a polymer matrix or gel.

In some embodiments, a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceuticalcomposition thereof is administered in conjunction with an anticanceragent. As used herein, the term “anticancer agent” refers to any agentthat is administered to a subject with cancer for purposes of treatingthe cancer. Combination therapy includes administration of thetherapeutic agents concurrently or sequentially. Alternatively, thetherapeutic agents can be combined into one composition which isadministered to the patient.

Non-limiting examples of DNA damaging chemotherapeutic agents includetopoisomerase I inhibitors (e.g., irinotecan, topotecan, camptothecinand analogs or metabolites thereof, and doxorubicin); topoisomerase IIinhibitors (e.g., etoposide, teniposide, and daunorubicin); alkylatingagents (e.g., melphalan, chlorambucil, busulfan, thiotepa, ifosfamide,carmustine, lomustine, semustine, streptozocin, decarbazine,methotrexate, mitomycin C, and cyclophosphamide); DNA intercalators(e.g., cisplatin, oxaliplatin, and carboplatin); DNA intercalators andfree radical generators such as bleomycin; and nucleoside mimetics(e.g., 5-fluorouracil, capecitibine, gemcitabine, fludarabine,cytarabine, mercaptopurine, thioguanine, pentostatin, and hydroxyurea).

Chemotherapeutic agents that disrupt cell replication include:paclitaxel, docetaxel, and related analogs; vincristine, vinblastin, andrelated analogs; thalidomide, lenalidomide, and related analogs (e.g.,CC-5013 and CC-4047); protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., imatinibmesylate and gefitinib); proteasome inhibitors (e.g., bortezomib); NF-κBinhibitors, including inhibitors of IκB kinase; antibodies which bind toproteins overexpressed in cancers and thereby downregulate cellreplication (e.g., trastuzumab, rituximab, cetuximab, and bevacizumab);and other inhibitors of proteins or enzymes known to be upregulated,over-expressed or activated in cancers, the inhibition of whichdown-regulates cell replication. In certain embodiments, a compound ofthe invention is administered in conjunction with a proteasomeinhibitor.

Another aspect of the invention relates to inhibiting HDAC6, activity ina biological sample or a patient, which method comprises administeringto the patient, or contacting said biological sample with a compound offormula (I), or a composition comprising said compound. The term“biological sample”, as used herein, generally includes in vivo, invitro, and ex vivo materials, and also includes, without limitation,cell cultures or extracts thereof; biopsied material obtained from amammal or extracts thereof; and blood, saliva, urine, feces, semen,tears, or other body fluids or extracts thereof.

Still another aspect of this invention is to provide a kit comprisingseparate containers in a single package, wherein the inventivepharmaceutical compounds, compositions and/or salts thereof are used incombination with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers to treatdisorders, symptoms and diseases where HDAC6 plays a role.

6. Preparation of Exemplary Compounds

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES Definitions ATP adenosine triphosphate D day DCEdichloroethane DCM dichloromethane DIPEA diisopropylethyl amine DMAP4-dimethylaminopyridine DME dimethyl ether DMF N,N-dimethylformamideDMSO dimethylsulfoxide EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid EtOAc ethylacetate EtOH ethanol FA formic acid FBS fetal bovine serum h hours HATUN,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-o-(7-azabenzotriazole-1-yl)uroniumhexafluorophosphate HBTU2-(7-aza-1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluroniumhexafluorophosphate HEPESN-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N′-(2-ethanesulfonic acid) HRMS highresolution mass spectrum IPA isopropyl alcohol LC-MS liquidchromatography mass spectrum m/z mass to charge MTBE methyl tert-butylether Me methyl MEM minimum essential media MeOH methanol min minutes MSmass spectrum MWI microwave irradiation NMM N-methyl morpholine PBSphosphate buffered saline rt room temperature TEA triethylamine TFAtrifluoroacetic acid TFAA trifluoroacetic anhydride TFFH1,1,3,3-tetramethylfluoroformamidinium hexafluorophosphate THFtetrahydrofuran TMEDA N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-ethane-1,2-diamine Xantphos4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene

Analytical Methods

NMR: ¹H NMR spectra are run on either a 400 MHz Bruker or 300 MHz Brukerunless otherwise stated.

LC-MS: LC-MS spectra are run using an Agilent 1100 LC interfaced to amicromass Waters® Micromass® Zspray™ Mass Detector (ZMD) using thefollowing gradients:

-   -   Formic Acid (FA): Acetonitrile containing zero to 100 percent        0.1% formic acid in water.    -   Ammonium Acetate (AA): Acetonitrile containing zero to 100        percent 10 mM ammonium acetate in water.

HPLC: Preparative HPLC are conducted using 18×150 mm Sunfire C-18columns eluting with water-MeCN gradients using a Gilson instrumentoperated by 322 pumps with the UV/visible 155 detector triggeredfraction collection set to between 200 nm and 400 nm. Mass gatedfraction collection is conducted on an Agilent 1100 LC/MSD instrument.

Example 1 methyl2-{[1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-methylpiperidin-4-yl]carbonyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylateIntermediate 1

A solution of 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-methylpiperidine-4-carboxylicacid (0.830 g, 3.41 mmol) and triethylamine (0.792 mL, 5.68 mmol) in DMF(11.0 mL) was treated with TFFH (1.13 g, 4.26 mmol). The resultingmixture was stirred at rt for 30 min and then methyl1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate hydrochloride (0.647 g,2.84 mmol) and triethylamine (0.792 mL, 5.68 mmol) were added. Thereaction mixture was stirred at rt for 2 days and then extracted withEtOAc three times. The combined organic phases were washed with waterand brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. Purification ofthe resulting residue by column chromatography (SiO₂, 0-100% EtOAc inhexane) provided methyl2-{[1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-methylpiperidin-4-yl]carbonyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate(0.959 g, 82%). LC-MS: (FA) ES+ 439 (M+Na); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ7.85 (dd, J=10.1, 2.2 Hz, 2H), 7.19 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 4.79 (s, 2H),3.95-3.77 (m, 5H), 3.67 (d, J=38.1 Hz, 2H), 3.21 (s, 2H), 2.92 (t, J=5.7Hz, 2H), 2.24-2.10 (m, 2H), 1.61 (d, J=10.8 Hz, 1H), 1.44 (d, J=5.0 Hz,10H), 1.33 (d, J=3.6 Hz, 3H).

Example 2 methyl2-(4-bromobenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylateIntermediate-2

To a solution of methyl 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylatehydrochloride (500.0 mg, 2.00 mmol) in DMF (17.0 mL) was added4-bromobenzylbromide (604 mg, 2.42 mmol) and K₂CO₃ (910 mg, 6.59 mmol).The resulting mixture was stirred overnight at rt. EtOAc and water wereadded, and the phases were separated. The organic phase was dried overNa₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The resulting residue was purified bycolumn chromatography (SiO₂, 0-40% EtOAc in hexane) to give methyl2-(4-bromobenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate (753 mg,100%). LC-MS: (FA) ES+ 361; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.86-7.70 (m, 2H),7.46 (dd, J=8.7, 2.1 Hz, 2H), 7.36-7.21 (m, 2H), 7.04 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H),3.89 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 3H), 3.64 (s, 4H), 2.93 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 2.83-2.64(m, 2H).

Example 3 methyl2-{4-[1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)piperidin-4-yl]benzyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylateIntermediate-3

Step 1: methyl2-{4-[1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl]benzyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate

A solution of methyl2-(4-bromobenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate (200.0mg, 0.600 mmol) and tert-butyl4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-3,6-dihydropyridine-1(2H)-carboxylate(188.8 mg, 0.6107 mmol) in DME (5.15 mL) was treated with Na₂CO₃ (2.00 Min water, 0.83 mL, 1.66 mmol). The mixture was degassed and Pd(Ph₃P)₄(13 mg, 0.011 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was heated underargon at 80° C. overnight. The mixture was then cooled to roomtemperature and diluted with water. The aqueous phase was extractedtwice with EtOAc. The combined organic phases were washed with brine,dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The residue was purifiedby column chromatography (SiO₂, 10-50% EtOAc in hexanes) to give methyl2-{4-[1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl]benzyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate(228 mg, 89%). LC-MS: (FA) ES+ 263.

Step 2: methyl2-{4-[1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)piperidin-4-yl]benzyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylateIntermediate-3

A solution of methyl2-{4-[1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl]benzyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate(228 mg, 0.493 mmol) in MeOH (5.0 mL) was degassed thoroughly andpalladium on carbon (5% Pd/C, 15.6 mg, 0.0025 mmol) was added. Themixture was stirred at rt under an atmosphere of hydrogen gas for 2 h.The reaction mixture was filtered through a pad of Celite, and thefiltrate was concentrated to give methyl2-{4-[1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)piperidin-4-yl]benzyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate(200 mg, 87%) which was used without purification. LC-MS: (FA) ES+ 465.

Example 4 methyl2-[4-({[1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-methylpiperidin-4-yl]carbonyl}amino)benzyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylateIntermediate-4

Step 1: tert-butyl 4-carbamoyl-4-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate

A solution of 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-methylpiperidine-4-carboxylicacid (1.00 g, 4.00 mmol) in DMF (41 mL) and DIPEA (2.9 mL, 17 mmol) wastreated with HATU (2.4 g, 6.3 mmol). The solution was stirred for 20minutes and NH₄Cl (0.450 g, 8.40 mmol) was added. The mixture wasstirred overnight and then evaporated to dryness. The residue waspartitioned between EtOAc (100 mL) and water (150 mL). The phases wereseparated and the aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc. The combinedorganic phases were washed with HCl (1.0 N solution in water), saturatedaqueous NaHCO₃ solution, water and brine; dried over Na₂SO₄; filteredand concentrated. The residue was purified by column chromatography(SiO₂, 10% MeOH in DCM) to give tert-butyl4-carbamoyl-4-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate (781 mg, 78%). LC-MS: (FA)ES+ 265 (M+Na).

Step 2: methyl2-[4-({[1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-methylpiperidin-4-yl]carbonyl}amino)benzyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylateIntermediate-4

A mixture of tert-butyl 4-carbamoyl-4-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate(178 mg, 0.733 mmol), methyl2-(4-bromobenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate (240 mg,0.670 mmol), Pd₂(dba)₃ (61 mg, 0.066 mmol), Xantphos (116 mg, 0.200mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (434 mg, 1.33 mmol) in dioxane (10.6 mL) was degassedthoroughly and the reaction vessel was sealed. The mixture was heated at100° C. overnight and then filtered. The filtrate was concentrated. Theresulting residue was purified by column chromatography (SiO₂, 0-90%EtOAc in hexane) to give methyl2-[4-({[1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-methylpiperidin-4-yl]carbonyl}amino)benzyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate(160 mg, 46%). LC-MS: (FA) ES+ 522; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.78 (s,1H), 7.75 (dd, J=8.0, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.48 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.33 (dd,J=9.3, 7.0 Hz, 3H), 7.01 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 3.91-3.83 (m, 3H), 3.67 (dd,J=19.7, 4.9 Hz, 5H), 3.40-3.27 (m, 2H), 3.00-2.85 (m, 2H), 2.73 (t,J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 2.13-1.96 (m, 3H), 1.55 (t, J=21.0 Hz, 2H), 1.46 (d,J=5.0 Hz, 9H), 1.31 (d, J=9.9 Hz, 3H).

Example 5 methyl2-[(4-methylpiperidin-4-yl)carbonyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate.[HCl]Intermediate 5

A solution of methyl2-{[1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-methylpiperidin-4-yl]carbonyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate(0.811 g, 1.95 mmol) in DCM (5.0 mL) was treated with a solution of HCl(4.0 M in dioxane, 5.0 mL, 2.0 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirredat rt for 5 h. The mixture was then concentrated to dryness and theresidue was twice co-evaporated with toluene. This material, methyl2-[(4-methylpiperidin-4-yl)carbonyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate.[HCl](0.725 g, ˜100%), was suitable for use without further purification.LC-MS: (FA) ES+ 317.

Example 6

The following compounds were prepared in a fashion analogous to thatdescribed in Example 5 using the intermediate listed below.

Starting Product Carbamate Compound LC-MS I-5 I-3 ES+ 366 (AA) I-6 I-4ES+ 423 (FA)

Example 7 methyl2-[(1-ethyl-4-methylpiperidin-4-yl)carbonyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylateIntermediate 6

A solution of methyl2-{[1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-methylpiperidin-4-yl]carbonyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate.[HCl](0.260 g, 0.737 mmol) in MeOH (8.0 mL) was treated with acetaldehyde(0.414 g, 7.37 mmol) and MgSO₄ (excess). The reaction mixture wasstirred at rt for 1 h, and sodium cyanoborohydride (93 mg, 1.47 mmol)was added in portions. The resulting mixture was stirred for 3 h at rtand then filtered to remove the MgSO₄. The filtrate was washed withwater and brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. Theresulting residue was purified by column chromatography (SiO₂, 0-20%MeOH in DCM) to give methyl2-[(1-ethyl-4-methylpiperidin-4-yl)carbonyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate(55 mg, 22%). LC-MS: (FA) ES+ 345; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.86-7.80(m, 2H), 7.18 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 4.78 (s, 2H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.88-3.83(m, 2H), 2.91 (t, J=5.5 Hz, 2H), 2.77-2.67 (m, 2H), 2.42 (q, J=7.2 Hz,2H), 2.36-2.20 (m, 4H), 1.75-1.65 (m, 2H), 1.30 (s, 3H), 1.09 (t, J=7.2Hz, 3H).

Example 8 tert-butyl4-{[6-(hydroxycarbamoyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl]carbonyl}-4-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylateCompound I-13

A mixture of hydroxylamine hydrochloride (2.0 g, 29 mmol) in methanol(10 mL) was heated at 90° C. under a dry nitrogen atmosphere untilhomogeneous. To this heated solution was added a solution of potassiumhydroxide (2.85 g, 50.8 mmol) in methanol (6 mL). A precipitate formedon mixing. After heating at 90° C. for 30 minutes, the mixture wascooled to rt and the solids were allowed to settle. The resultingsolution was assumed to contain 1.7 M hydroxylamine.potassium salt andwas carefully removed by syringe to exclude solids. An aliquot of theabove solution (1.95 mL, 3.31 mmol) was added to a solution of methyl2-{[1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-methylpiperidin-4-yl]carbonyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxylate(138 mg, 0.331 mmol) in methanol (0.5 mL) and DMF (0.5 mL). Afterstirring for 3 h at rt, excess reagent was quenched by the addition ofacetic acid (0.188 mL, 3.31 mmol). The mixture was concentrated todryness and the residue was twice co-evaporated with toluene. The crudeproduct was purified by preparative HPLC to afford tert-butyl4-{[6-(hydroxycarbamoyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl]carbonyl}-4-methylpiperidine-1-carboxylate(103 mg, 74.5%). LC-MS: (FA) ES+ 418; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 11.03 (s,1H), 9.00 (s, 1H), 7.59-7.52 (m, 2H), 7.28 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 4.71 (s,2H), 3.79 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 3.53-3.44 (m, 2H), 3.15-3.03 (m, 2H), 2.83(t, J=5.4 Hz, 2H), 2.06-1.96 (m, 2H), 1.47-1.39 (m, 2H), 1.37 (s, 9H),1.24 (s, 3H).

Example 9

The following compounds were prepared in a fashion analogous to thatdescribed in Example 8 using from the appropriate methyl esterintermediate listed below.

Starting Product Intermediate Compound LC-MS Int-5 I-1 ES+ 318 (FA)Int-6 I-2 ES+ 347 (FA) Int-3 I-5 ES+ 466 (AA) Int-4 I-6 ES+ 523 (FA)

Example 10 HDAC6 Enzyme Assay

To measure the inhibition of HDAC6 activity, purified human HDAC6 (BPSBioscience; Cat. No. 5006) is incubated with substrateAc-Arg-Gly-Lys(Ac)-AMC peptide (Bachem Biosciences; Cat. No. I-1925) for1 hour at 30° C. in the presence of test compounds or vehicle DMSOcontrol. The reaction is stopped with the HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A(Sigma; Cat. No. T8552) and the amount of Arg-Gly-Lys-AMC generated isquantitated by digestion with trypsin (Sigma; Cat. No. T1426) andsubsequent measurement of the amount of AMC released using a fluorescentplate reader (Pherastar; BMG Technologies) set at Ex 340 nm and Em 460nm. Concentration response curves are generated by calculating thefluorescence increase in test compound-treated samples relative toDMSO-treated controls, and percentage inhibition values at a singleconcentration or enzyme inhibition (IC₅₀) values are determined fromthose curves. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the valuesgenerated either as percentage inhibition at a single concentration orIC₅₀ values are subject to experimental variation.

Example 11 Nuclear Extract HDAC Assay

As a screen against Class I HDAC enzymes, HeLa nuclear extract (BIOMOL;Cat. No. KI-140) is incubated with Ac-Arg-Gly-Lys(Ac)-AMC peptide(Bachem Biosciences; Cat. No. I-1925) in the presence of test compoundsor vehicle DMSO control. The HeLa nuclear extract is enriched for ClassI enzymes HDAC1, -2 and -3. The reaction is stopped with the HDACinhibitor Trichostatin A (Sigma; Cat. No. T8552) and the amount ofArg-Gly-Lys-AMC generated is quantitated by digestion with trypsin(Sigma; Cat. No. T1426) and subsequent measurement of the amount of AMCreleased using a fluorescent plate reader (Pherastar; BMG Technologies)set at Ex 340 nm and Em 460 nm. Concentration response curves aregenerated by calculating the fluorescence increase in testcompound-treated samples relative to DMSO-treated controls, and enzymeinhibition (IC₅₀) values are determined from those curves.

Example 12 Western Blot and Immunofluorescence Assays

Cellular potency and selectivity of compounds are determined using apublished assay (Haggarty et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2003, 100(8): 4389-4394) using Hela cells (ATCC cat#CCL-2™) which are maintainedin MEM medium (Invitrogen) supplemented with 10% FBS; or multiplemyeloma cells RPMI-8226 (ATCC cat#CCL-155™) which are maintained in RPMI1640 medium (Invitrogen) supplemented with 10% FBS. Briefly, cells aretreated with inhibitors for 6 or 24 h and either lysed for Westernblotting, or fixed for immunofluorescence analyses. HDAC6 potency isdetermined by measuring K40 hyperacetylation of alpha-tubulin with anacetylation selective monoclonal antibody (Sigma cat#T7451) in IC50experiments. Selectivity against Class I HDAC activity is determinedsimilarly using an antibody that recognizes hyperacetylation of histoneH4 (Upstate cat#06-866) in the Western blotting assay or nuclearacetylation (Abcam cat#ab21623) in the immunofluorescence assay.

Example 13 In Vivo Tumor Efficacy Model

Female NCr-Nude mice (age 6-8 weeks, Charles River Labs) are asepticallyinjected into the subcutaneous space in the right dorsal flank with1.0-5.0×10⁶ cells (SKOV-3, HCT-116, BxPC3) in 100 μL of a 1:1 ratio ofserum-free culture media (Sigma Aldrich) and BD Matrigel™ (BDBiosciences) using a 1 mL 26 3/8 gauge needle (Becton DickinsonRef#309625). Alternatively, some xenograft models require the use ofmore immunocompromised strains of mice such as CB-17 SCID (Charles RiverLabs) or NOD-SCID (Jackson Laboratory). Furthermore, some xenograftmodels require serial passaging of tumor fragments in which smallfragments of tumor tissue (approximately 1 mm³) are implantedsubcutaneously in the right dorsal flank of anesthetized (3-5%isoflourane/oxygen mixture) NCr-Nude, CB-17 SCID or NOD-SCID mice (age5-8 weeks, Charles River Labs or Jackson Laboratory) via a 13-ga trocarneedle (Popper & Sons 7927). Tumor volume is monitored twice weekly withVernier calipers. The mean tumor volume is calculated using the formulaV=W²×L/2. When the mean tumor volume is approximately 200 mm³, theanimals are randomized into treatment groups of ten animals each. Drugtreatment typically includes the test compound as a single agent, andmay include combinations of the test compound and other anticanceragents. Dosing and schedules are determined for each experiment based onprevious results obtained from pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic andmaximum tolerated dose studies. The control group will receive vehiclewithout any drug. Typically, test compound (100-200 μL) is administeredvia intravenous (27-ga needle), oral (20-ga gavage needle) orsubcutaneous (27-ga needle) routes at various doses and schedules. Tumorsize and body weight are measured twice a week and the study isterminated when the control tumors reach approximately 2000 mm³, and/orif tumor volume exceeds 10% of the animal body weight or if the bodyweight loss exceeds 20%.

The differences in tumor growth trends over time between pairs oftreatment groups are assessed using linear mixed effects regressionmodels. These models account for the fact that each animal is measuredat multiple time points. A separate model is fit for each comparison,and the areas under the curve (AUC) for each treatment group arecalculated using the predicted values from the model. The percentdecrease in AUC (dAUC) relative to the reference group is thencalculated. A statistically significant P value suggests that the trendsover time for the two treatment groups are different.

The tumor measurements observed on a date pre-specified by theresearcher (typically the last day of treatment) are analyzed to assesstumor growth inhibition. For this analysis, a T/C ratio is calculatedfor each animal by dividing the tumor measurement for the given animalby the mean tumor measurement across all control animals. The T/C ratiosacross a treatment group are compared to the T/C ratios of the controlgroup using a two-tailed Welch's t-test. To adjust for multiplicity, aFalse Discovery Rate (FDR) is calculated for each comparison using theapproach described by Benjamini and Hochberg, J.R. Stat. Soc. B 1995,57:289-300.

Example 14 Intrinsic Clearance in Microsomes

The following reagents and stock solutions are required fordetermination of microsomal clearance.

Reagents:

-   -   1. 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4:        Stock A (1.0 M): 136.5 g of monobasic potassium phosphate (Sigma        #P5379) in 1 L of nanopure water. Stock B (1.0 M): 174.2 g of        dibasic potassium phosphate (Sigma #P8281) in 1 L of nanopure        water. Mix 40.5 mL of stock B+9.5 mL of stock A, adjust pH with        monobasic potassium phosphate, qs to 500 mL with nanopure water        to give 0.1M potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4.    -   2. Microsomes: (Suggested sources: Xenotech LLC)        All hepatic microsomes contain approximately 20 mg/mL.    -   3. NADPH: β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced        form (Sigma #N1630)    -   4. UDPGA: Uridine 5′-Diphosphote Glucuronic Acid, Triamnonium        salt (Sigma #U-5625)    -   5. Alamethicin (Sigma #A-4665-25)    -   6. MgCl₂: Magnesium chloride (Sigma #M8266)    -   7. DMSO: Dimethyl sulfoxide (Sigma #D4540)    -   8. 7EC: 7-Ethoxycoumarine (Sigma #E1379), positive control.    -   9. Carbutamide (Aldrich cat #38157-8), internal standard.

Stock Solutions:

-   -   1. 10 mM stock solution of test compound in DMSO        200 μM test solution of test compound: 10 μL of 10 mM test        compound stock solution+490 μL of 75% ACN/water    -   2. 10 mM stock solution of 7-Ethoxycoumarin in DMSO (positive        control)        200 μM test solution of 7-Ethoxycoumarine: 10 μL of 10 mM 7EC        stock solution+490 μL of 75% ACN/water.    -   3. 10 mM carbutamide stock (internal standard): Dissolve 2.71 mg        of carbutimide in 1 mL DMSO.        1 μM carbutamide solution: 100 μL of 10 mM stock solution in        1 L of acetonitrile, store at 4° C.    -   4. 3 mM MgCl₂ in 0.1 M K-phosphate buffer:        Dissolve 28.5 mg of anhydrous MgCl₂ in 100 mL of 0.1 M        K-phosphate buffer, pH 7.4.    -   5. 4× Stock Solution of Cofactors Mixture

16 mM NADPH in 0.1 M K-phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 containing MgCl_(2.)

20 mM UDPGA in 0.1 M K-phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 containing MgCl₂

Aliquot equal volume of stock solution of NADPH and UDPGA to make thefinal stock solution of cofactor mixture as follows:

8 mM NADPH 10 mM UDPGA

-   -   6. Add 1.25 mL of methanol directly to the bottle of        alamethicin. Invert 10 times to dissolve the alamethicin. This        yields a 20 mg/ml solution of alamethicin.        Procedure: A set volume of microsomal protein and an equal        volume of 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 are combined        in a vial. Alamethicin is added to achieve a concentration of 50        ug alamethicin per mg of microsomal protein. (i.e. Add 400 ul        microsomes to 400 uL of 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4        into a vial. Then add 20 ul of the alamethicin stock solution        (20 mg/ml).) Invert vial three times and place on ice for 15        minutes. Label 6 “V” bottom 96-well plates (0, 3, 7, 12, 20, and        30 minutes), this corresponds to the six time points in the        intrinsic clearance assay. Label an equal number of 2 mL vials        (e.g. Polypropylene tubes) as you have test compounds and        positive control. In each 2 mL vial place 735 μL of 0.1 M        K-phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Add 375 μL of cofactor solution        (NADPH/UDPGA/MgCl₂) (stock solution #5) to each 2 mL vial. Add        15 μL of 200 μM test compound or positive control (final        concentration in the incubation mixture is 2 μM) to each 2 mL        vial. Mix the 2 ml vials with a vortexer and aliquot 75 μL of        each vial's content, in duplicate, into 6 labeled 96-well        plates. (Plates should be polypropylene or equivalent to        minimize binding). Place all plates in a 37° C. incubator for 5        minutes (to warm up to incubation temperature). Also warm the        microsomes with alamethicin (from step 3) to 37° C. in a water        bath. After the 5 minutes of warming time, add 25 μL of warmed        microsomes (from step 10) to each sample well; at this time your        incubation begins. (Note: This can best be achieved by using a        multipipet or a Multidrop.) Place all plates in the 37° C.        incubator for the designated time (0, 3, 7, 12, 20 and 30        minutes). At the end of each incubation time, aliquot 100 μL of        1 μM ice cold carbutamide/ACN solution to each well, this will        stop the reaction. (Note: This can be achieved by using a        multipipet or a Multidrop.) Once all the incubations have been        stopped, place the 96-well plates in a 4° C. refrigerator for 30        minutes. Centrifuge the 96-well plates at 1800×g for 10 minutes.        Transfer 100 μL of supernatant into another 96-well plate in        descending order of incubation time, 30 minutes to 0 minutes.        (Dilution with water may be necessary.) Perform LC/MS/MS        analysis.

Table of Final Concentrations Final Concentration in Incubation Testcompound 2 μM Positive control 2 μM S9 2.5 mg/mL NADPH 2 mM UDPGA 2.5 mMPAPS 0.10 mM Acetyl CoA 0.5 mM Alamethicin 50 ug/ml MgCl₂ 3 mM Buffer0.1M Calculations: CL int = (0.693/In Vitro T_(1/2)) (IncubationVolume/mg of S9) (165 mg S9/gram of liver) (20^(a) gm of liver/kg b · w)^(a)Scale up factors (gm liver/kg body weight) among different animalspecies commonly used: Human 20* Beagle Dog 25* Mini Pig 25 CynomolgusMonkey 30* Guinea Pig 45 Rat 45* Mouse 87.5 *Scaling factors werederived from: Lin, J. et. al., Drug Metab. Dispos. 1996 (24): 1111-1120.

In certain embodiments, compounds of the invention have the followingintrinsic clearances.

In Vitro Microsomal Intrinsic Compound Clearance (L/hr/kg) I-1 Dog CLint <0.47 Human CL int <0.38 Rat CL int <0.85 I-2 Dog CL int <0.47 HumanCL int <0.38 Rat CL int <0.85 I-13 Dog CL int 1.9 Human CL int <0.38 RatCL int 2.8

As detailed above, compounds of the invention inhibit HDAC6. In certainembodiments, compounds of the invention inhibit HDAC6 with the percentinhibition at 0.37 μM concentration as shown in the table below:

Compound Percentage Number Inhibition (%) I-13 88.76 I-1 79.665 I-278.255 I-3 80.66 I-4 72.19 I-5 46.19 I-6 60.96

As detailed above, compounds of the invention are selective for HDAC6over other Class I HDAC enzymes. In some embodiments, the ratio of HDACIC50 (as obtained in the nuclear extract assay described above) to HDAC6IC50 is less than 5 (HDAC IC50/HDAC6 IC50). In certain embodiments, theratio of HDAC IC50 to HDAC6 IC50 is between 5 and 10. In certainembodiments, the ratio of HDAC IC50 to HDAC6 IC50 is between 10 and 100.

While we have described a number of embodiments of this invention, it isapparent that our basic examples may be altered to provide otherembodiments, which utilize the compounds and methods of this invention.Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of this invention is tobe defined by the appended claims rather than by the specificembodiments, which have been represented by way of examples

1. A compound of formula (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein: p is 0-3 and qis 1-4, and the total of p and q is 1-4; X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, or-L₁-R³—V₁—; L₁ is a bond or unsubstituted or substituted C₁₋₃ alkylenechain; R³ is a 6-membered aromatic ring containing 0-2 nitrogen atomswhich is unsubstituted or substituted with 1-2 independent occurrencesof R⁴; each occurrence of R⁴ is independently chloro, fluoro, cyano,hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl, methyl, orethyl; V₁ is a bond, —NH—C(O)—, —C(O)—NH—, —NH—S(O)₂—, or —NH—C(O)—NH—;Ring C is a 4-7 membered heterocyclic ring containing one nitrogen atom,wherein the nitrogen atom is not the atom bound to X; wherein thenitrogen atom in Ring C is substituted with R^(9b) and Ring C isunsubstituted or substituted by 1-4 occurrences of R^(5b); ring B isoptionally further substituted with m occurrences of R¹; each occurrenceof R¹ is independently chloro, fluoro, cyano, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy,trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl, methyl, or ethyl; ring A isoptionally further substituted with n occurrences of R²; each occurrenceof R² is independently fluoro, methyl, or trifluoromethyl; R^(9b) ishydrogen, unsubstituted C(O)—O—C₁₋₆ aliphatic, unsubstituted C(O)—C₁₋₆aliphatic, unsubstituted C(O)—C₃₋₁₀ cycloaliphatic, or unsubstitutedC₁₋₆ aliphatic; each occurrence of R^(5b) is independently chloro,fluoro, hydroxy, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl,trifluoromethoxy, —C(O)NH₂, or —CO₂H; m is 0-1; and n is 0-2.
 2. Acompound of formula (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein: p is 0-3 and qis 1-4, and the total of p and q is 1-4; X is —C(O)— or -L₁-R³—V₁—; L₁is a bond or unsubstituted or substituted C₁₋₃ alkylene chain; R³ is a6-membered aromatic ring containing 0-2 nitrogen atoms which isunsubstituted or substituted with 1-2 independent occurrences of R⁴;each occurrence of R⁴ is independently chloro, fluoro, cyano, hydroxy,methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl, methyl, or ethyl; V₁is a bond, —NH—C(O)—, —C(O)—NH—, —NH—S(O)₂—, or —NH—C(O)—NH—; Ring C isa 4-7 membered heterocyclic ring containing one nitrogen atom, whereinthe nitrogen atom is not the atom bound to X; wherein the nitrogen atomin Ring C is substituted with R^(9b) and Ring C is unsubstituted orsubstituted by 1-4 occurrences of R^(5b); ring B is optionally furthersubstituted with m occurrences of R¹; each occurrence of R¹ isindependently chloro, fluoro, cyano, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy,trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethyl, methyl, or ethyl; ring A isoptionally further substituted with n occurrences of R²; each occurrenceof R² is independently fluoro, methyl, or trifluoromethyl; R^(9b) ishydrogen, unsubstituted C(O)—O—C₁₋₆ aliphatic, unsubstituted C(O)—C₁₋₆aliphatic, unsubstituted C(O)—C₃₋₁₀ cycloaliphatic, or unsubstitutedC₁₋₆ aliphatic; each occurrence of R^(5b) is independently chloro,fluoro, hydroxy, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl,trifluoromethoxy, —C(O)NH₂, or —CO₂H; m is 0-1; and n is 0-2.
 3. Thecompound of claim 1, wherein: p is 0 and q is 1; or p is 1 and q is 1;or p is 0 and q is
 2. 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein: m is 0; and nis
 0. 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein: V₁ is a bond or —NH—C(O)—. 6.The compound of claim 1, wherein: Ring C is pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl;Ring C is unsubstituted or substituted with one occurrence of R^(5b);and R^(5b) is methyl.
 7. The compound of claim 1, represented by formula(IV):

wherein: z is 0 or
 1. 8. The compound of claim 7, wherein: X is —C(O)—,—CH₂—, X-a, X-b, X-c, X-d, X-e, X-f, or X-g.
 9. The compound of claim 7,wherein: X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-a, X-c, or X-g.
 10. The compound of claim7, wherein: p is 0 and q is 1; or p is 1 and q is 1; or p is 0 and q is2.
 11. The compound of claim 7, wherein z is 1; Ring C is unsubstitutedor substituted with one occurrence of R^(5b); and R^(5b) is methyl. 12.The compound of claim 7, represented by formula (V-a):

wherein R^(5bb) is hydrogen or methyl.
 13. The compound of claim 12,wherein: R^(9b) is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, ortert-butoxycarbonyl.
 14. The compound of claim 12, wherein: R^(9b) ishydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl.
 15. The compound of claim 12,wherein z is
 1. 16. The compound of claim 12, wherein R^(5bb) is methyl.17. The compound of claim 12, wherein: X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-ii, X-xi,X-xii, X-xxii, X-xxiv, or X-xxv.
 18. The compound of claim 12, wherein:X is —C(O)—, —CH₂—, X-i, X-ii, X-xi, X-xiv, or X-xxiv.
 19. Apharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 1 and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 20. A method of treating aproliferative disorder in a patient comprising administering to saidpatient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim
 1. 21.The method of claim 20, wherein the proliferative disorder is breastcancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma, acute myelogenousleukemia, or acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
 22. A method for inhibitingHDAC6 activity in a patient comprising administering a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising an amount of a compound of claim 1 effective toinhibit HDAC6 activity in the patient.